The Atheists in Kenya Society (AIK) registered barely a week ago should be deregistered, religious leaders said on Friday.
Bishops Margaret Wanjiru, Robert Mutemi, Ochuonga GBS, Paul Karanja, Michael Adipo and Dr John Warari said the move to register the association is against the constitution which recognises Kenya as a country that believes in God.
“The nation of Kenya is basically a religious society comprising of Christian, Muslims and others. According to our Constitution, this nation acknowledges the Almighty God and the same is enshrined in our National Anthem (Oh God of all creation),” they said in a statement in Nairobi.
Accompanied by more than 200 religious leaders at Jesus is Alive Ministries, they called on the government to rethink its decision and advise on the way forward.
At the same time, the religious leaders called on the government to withdraw the associations and cooperate Bill which is before Senate in order to allow room for more discussion.
They said despite a promise by President Uhuru Kenyatta that more discussion be held on the Bill, nothing had taken place so far.
Bishop Wanjiru said religious leaders should be allowed to regulate themselves instead of the government coming up with laws that are not acceptable and which seek to curtail their freedom.
The religious leaders also expressed concerns over the level of corruption in the country saying that action must be matched with words in dealing with the vice.
“We have to address this monster called corruption and those involved should not be tolerated at all,” said the leaders.
They also called on the government to streamline banking sector and bring to book all those found to have used unethical ways of siphoning depositors’ money.
“When banks are faced with weak banking fundamentals, governance structures and capital base which are indeed immoral issues, it has not only eroded confidence in the sector but affect the poor and ordinary Kenyans,” the leaders added.
On the ICC issue, the leaders asked President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to invest most of their time in preaching reconciliation and peace nationwide.
