Atheists In Kenya Society

The Atheists In Kenya Society is an atheist organization, registered under the Societies Act in Kenya.[1] It is the first non-religious society to be registered in the country.[2][3] The society believes that the most reasonable conclusions are the ones that have the best evidence.[4] It is a member organisation of Humanists International.[5]

Atheists In Kenya Society
FoundedFebruary 17, 2016
Area served
Kenya
Key people
President: Harrison Mumia
Websiteatheistsinkenya.org

The society was established in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 17, 2016.[2] Harrison Mumia is the founder and president and Daisy Siongok is vice president.[6][7] The foundation has its headquarters in Cargen House, Nairobi.[8]

History

In 2013, a group of Kenyans met with the aim of establishing a nonreligious society. In 2015, they applied for registration, which was first rejected by the Deputy Registrar of Societies in Kenya.[9]

On February 17, 2016, the Kenyan government issued Mumia with a certificate for the organization under Societies Act, Cap 108.[10]

In 2016, April, the society's registration was suspended by the then Attorney General, Githu Muigai, due to pressure from the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches, who claimed the establishment of the group threatened the public peace. Mumia then took the case to the High Court of Kenya, where he challenged the suspension.[11]

In 2018, the High Court of Kenya quashed the suspension and had the society reinstated.[12]

Aims

The objects of the society are:[13]

  1. To promote and practice the open, rational, and scientific examination of the universe and our place in it.
  2. To advocate that ethics and morality be meaningfully based on rational and humanistic ideals and values.
  3. To promote skeptical inquiry.
  4. To provide community for atheists.
  5. To organize activities, such as forums for discussion, guest speakers and debates.
  6. To foster public acceptance of atheists in Kenya.
  7. To engage in social issues affecting its membership and the wider community.

Activism

In 2020, the society, through its president, Mumia, paid school fees for one of the top students in 2019 KCPE from Baringo County.[14] The Association has also pursued several campaigns in court to advocate for the scrapping of religious education in Kenyan's basic education curriculum.[15] They have also lobbied for February 17 to be declared as an atheist national holiday.[16]

See also

References
  1. "Kenya's Atheists society formally registered". Nairobi News. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  2. "Irreligion in Kenya", Wikipedia, January 29, 2020, retrieved February 4, 2020
  3. "About Us". Atheists In Kenya Society. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  4. "Kenya refuses to register atheists". BBC News. February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  5. "Our members". Humanists International. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  6. "Atheists president Harrison Mumia sacked by CBK over 'political tweets'". The Star. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  7. "Kenyan Atheists' Group Wins, Then Loses Governmental Recognition Amid Opposition". Global Press Journal. May 25, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  8. "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  9. "Kenyan Atheists' Group Wins, Then Loses Governmental Recognition Amid Opposition". Global Press Journal. May 25, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  10. Ogila, Japheth. "Atheists: Give us a day to show there is no God". The Standard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  11. Ngasike, Lucas. "Attorney General Githu Muigai suspends registration of atheists' society". The Standard. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  12. "High Court overturns suspension of atheist society". Daily Nation. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  13. Atheists In Kenya (November 5, 2019). "Atheists In Kenya Constitution" (PDF). atheistsinkenya.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  14. Aradi, Sigomba Ramadhan Omar and Gloria. "Atheists pay fees for needy boy, the mother thanks God". The Standard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  15. Khakayi, Valerian (June 4, 2019). "The rise of atheism in Kenya". Daily Active. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  16. "Now Kenyan atheists demand national holiday". Daily Nation. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
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