According to the NCCK, no individual preacher holds divine authority over healing. The church umbrella body emphasized that all forms of healing—spiritual or physical—remain the sole prerogative of God, and preachers should focus on preaching rather than claiming exclusive power over cures.
The warning follows a recent crusade where Owuor claimed to have cured serious medical conditions, including HIV and cerebral disorders. His statements have drawn the attention of the Ministry of Health and raised concerns among medical professionals and church regulators.
Speaking to the media, NCCK National Chair Rev. Elias Otieno stressed the importance of combining faith with medical care.
“We believe in faith healing, but it is God who heals—not pastors. Nobody should be denied access to established medical treatments for their health. Those claiming otherwise are acting irresponsibly,” Rev. Otieno said.
Church leaders have also highlighted that the controversy exposes gaps in regulatory oversight within Kenya’s religious landscape. Many independent churches operate without institutional accountability, a situation that, according to Rev. Otieno, allows room for distorted religious practices.
“Some churches operate independently and are not under any regulatory umbrella. If one pastor practices one thing and another does something different, it creates disunity and weak oversight,” he explained.
The NCCK has called for the regulation of religious institutions, stressing that any framework should be developed in consultation with church bodies.
“When the proposed bill is fully understood through consultation and public participation, it will create a common framework for regulating religious institutions. Misinterpretations that it will limit preaching are incorrect,” Rev. Otieno added.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale has urged medical practitioners associated with Owuor to substantiate their claims or face deregistration. Investigations into the alleged cures are yet to begin.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council has also advised patients not to discontinue their prescribed medication without approval from their doctors. Owuor, however, continues to assert that his crusades have produced real results, claiming that 30 individuals have been healed of HIV and AIDS through his ministry.
