3 Richest Churches in Kenya

mary kulundu

July 11, 2017 10:39 AM

KRA reveals

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A list released by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has revealed three churches in Kenya with the highest annual turnover.

According to the tax regulator; Coptic Orthodox Church, Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) and Seventh Day Adventist Church, have a yearly turnover of between Sh350 million and Sh1 billion following the businesses they conduct.

In a report by the Daily Nation, the three religious organisation are now in the same income bracket as Kirinyaga Construction, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and Google Kenya, among others.

The organisations do not rely on the regular offerings and tithes given by congregants but rather conduct businesses to increase income.

The Seventh Day Adventists for instances has been listed in the Financial Insurance Government and Construction category and has a water bottling plant, hospital, guest house and rentals.

On the other hand, Coptic Orthodox is classified under the services sector. It has a hospital and other medical services and also offer education facilities.

NPC popularly referred to as Christ is the Answer Ministry (CITAM) earns extra money through its investments in hospitality, camp, catering unit, media, real estate and education.

Churches in Kenya are exempted from paying taxes on condition that they contribute to the fight against poverty through charitable activities.

There has always been a conflict regarding the tax exemption status Kenyan churches have been given by the government.

In 2016 the Atheist in Kenya (AIK) demanded KRA to start collecting taxes from churches churches.

"All over Kenya, huge sums of money are being denied to residents through the tax exemptions given to churches by the KRA.

This is money which could be used to build playgrounds and parks, provide nursing homes for the elderly, youth recreation programs for teenagers, libraries, health clinics, hospitals, road repairs, and schools," AIK said in a statement.

mary kulundu