Atheists In Kenya Society
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Abbreviation | AIK |
---|---|
Formation | February 17, 2016[1] |
Founder | Harrison Mumia |
Type | Nonprofit |
Registration no. | 47958[1] |
Purpose | to promote the growth and interaction of atheists in Kenya |
Headquarters | Cargen House, Harambee Ave |
Location | |
Coordinates | 1°17′15″S 36°49′34″E / 1.287469577828723°S 36.82617528620991°ECoordinates: 1°17′15″S 36°49′34″E / 1.287469577828723°S 36.82617528620991°E |
Region served | Kenya |
president | Harrison Mumia[1] |
vice President | Caroline Wanjiku[1] |
secretary | Mary Kamau[1] |
treasurer | Moureen Temba[1] |
Main organ | the executive committee |
Affiliations | Humanists International |
Website | atheistsinkenya |
The Atheists In Kenya Society is an atheist organization, registered under the Societies Act in Kenya.[2] It is the first non-religious society to be registered in the country.[1] The society believes that the most reasonable conclusions are the ones that have the best evidence.[3] It is a member organisation of Humanists International.[4]
The society was established in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 17, 2016.[1] Harrison Mumia is the founder and president.[5][6] The foundation has its headquarters in Cargen House, Nairobi.[1]
History[]
In 2013, a group of Kenyans met with the aim of establishing a nonreligious society. They held informal meetings in various restaurants in Nairobi and used social media, especially Facebook, to connect with like-minded Kenyans. This group included Ssemakula Mukiibi, Zack Wanambwa, Elizabeth Wangari, Ellen Mical and Beatrice Mwikya. In 2015, they applied for registration, which was first rejected by the Deputy Registrar of Societies in Kenya.[1][7]
On February 17, 2016, the Kenyan government issued Mumia with a certificate for the organization under Societies Act, Cap 108.[7][1]
In 2016, April, the society's registration was suspended by the then Attorney General, Githu Muigai, due to pressure from the , 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.[8]
In 2018, the High Court of Kenya quashed the suspension and had the society reinstated.[9]
Aims[]
The objects of the society are:[10]
- To promote and practice the open, rational, and scientific examination of the universe and our place in it.
- To advocate that ethics and morality be meaningfully based on rational and humanistic ideals and values.
- To promote skeptical inquiry.
- To provide community for atheists.
- To organize activities, such as forums for discussion, guest speakers and debates.
- To foster public acceptance of atheists in Kenya.
- To engage in social issues affecting its membership and the wider community.
Activism[]
![Atheists meeting in Nairobi, Kenya in 25th January, 2020 at Hotel Metro, Koinange Street, Nairobi.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Members_of_the_Atheists_In_Kenya_Society_during_a_meeting.jpg/220px-Members_of_the_Atheists_In_Kenya_Society_during_a_meeting.jpg)
In 2015, the group called for the passage of laws that would prohibit street preachers from spreading the faith in public places, including matatus.[11]
In 2016, AIK wrote to the Commissioner-General of the Kenya Revenue Authority, John Njiraini, demanding that churches not be exempt from taxes.[12]
In 2020, the society, through its president, Mumia, paid school fees for one of the top students in 2019 KCPE from Baringo County.[13]
The Association has also pursued several campaigns in court to advocate for the scrapping of religious education in Kenyan's basic education curriculum.[14]
They have also lobbied for February 17 to be declared as an atheist national holiday.[15]
The Executive Committee[]
The Executive Committee in November 2021:[1]
- Nyende Mumia – President
- Caroline Wanjiku – Vice President
- Mary Kamau – Secretary
- Moureen Temba – Treasurer
- James Mwangi – Assistant Treasurer
- Rebecca Sarange – Assistant Secretary
See also[]
- Irreligion in Kenya
- Major religious groups
- List of secularist organizations.
- Religion in Kenya
References[]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "About Us". Atheists In Kenya Society. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ Cherono, Stella. "Kenya's Atheists society formally registered". Nairobi News. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- ^ "Kenya refuses to register atheists". BBC News. February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ "Our Members and Associates". Humanists International. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ Ouko, Gordon (January 22, 2019). "Atheists president Harrison Mumia sacked by CBK over 'political tweets'". The Star. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ Matata, Lydia (May 25, 2016). "Kenyan Atheists' Group Wins, Then Loses Governmental Recognition Amid Opposition". Global Press Journal. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Ogila, Japheth (May 1, 2016). "Atheists: Give us a day to show there is no God". The Standard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ Ngasike, Lucas (August 20, 2018). "Attorney General Githu Muigai suspends registration of atheists' society". The Standard. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- ^ Komu, Nicholas (June 28, 2020). "High Court overturns suspension of atheist society". Nation. Nation Media Group. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Komu, Nicholas (June 29, 2020). "Atheists now want total ban on preaching in matatus, public places". Nation. Nation Media Group. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ Komu, Nicholas (June 29, 2020). "Atheists now demand that churches start paying taxes". Nation. Nation Media Group. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ Omar, Sigomba Ramadhan; Aradi, Gloria (January 17, 2020). "Atheists pay fees for needy boy, the mother thanks God". The Standard. The Standard Group. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ "The rise of atheism in Kenya". Daily Active. Opera News Kenya Site. June 4, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ Komu, Nicholas (June 28, 2020). "Kenyan atheists want Feb 17 declared national holiday". Nation. Nation Media Group. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
External links[]
- Secularist organizations
- Atheist organizations
- Organizations established in 2016
- 2016 establishments in Kenya
- Religion in Kenya
- Irreligion in Kenya