They are at it again! Days after Atheists in Kenya(AIK) came under attack for pleading with members of the public for financial support, the group now wants Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery to consider gazetting February 17 as a public holiday celebrating them.
In a letter addressed to the CS, Harrison Mumia, AIK Chairman said they “want to celebrate the fact that atheism frees up a lot of time that would otherwise be wasted in worship.”
“We want to celebrate atheism because it prevents one from being ripped off by religious charlatans. It provides great freedom and responsibility,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We want to celebrate the fact that the results of our actions as atheists are our responsibility and we can’t blame it on sin… We are not looking forward to the promise of heaven or the punishment of hell.”
He added that they chose the date because it is when the organisation was registered.
“This registration was significant, both in terms of promoting the diversity of Kenyans and protecting the rights of atheists to associate and exercise their freedom of conscience,” he said.
Mumia now wants Nkaissery to exercise his powers under the Public Holidays Act(cap 110). Quoting Article 27 of the constitution, Mumia said Nkaissery should not to discriminate against the non-believers.
The article states:
(1) Every person is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law.
(2) Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and fundamental freedoms.
(3) Women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.
(4) The state shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth.
Here is a copy of the letter
Last Sunday, the group through its twitter handle asked Kenyans to help raise Sh 350,000 legal fees toward a High Court petition against the government for suspending the organisation.
