Atheists In Kenya Write To Parliament Demanding To Be Invited To Upcoming Prayer Breakfast

• The Atheists in Kenya Society requested an invitation to the upcoming 2024 Annual National Prayer Breakfast
• They wrote to Ainabkoi MP and Prayer Breakfast Group chairperson Samuel Chepkonga, stating their goals of church-state separation and support for like-minded individuals
• Harrison Mumia, president of the Atheists in Kenya Society, stated their participation is justified as taxpayers’ money funds the event
• Mumia warned of legal action if their demands are not met, emphasising the need for inclusivity at the event

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - The Atheists in Kenya Society has demanded to be invited to the upcoming Annual National Prayer Breakfast.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula communicated on Tuesday, April 30, that the event would be held at the Safari Park Hotel on Thursday, May 30.

The prayer breakfast is interdenominational and emphasises the importance of national unity, with Wetang'ula stating this year's theme is "Hope."

What are Atheists In Kenya Society's demands?

However, Atheists in Kenya Society has written to Ainabkoi MP and Prayer Breakfast Group chairperson Samuel Chepkonga, asking to be part of the event.

In a letter seen by TUKO.co.ke, the society stated that their primary goals were to ensure the separation of church and state and to offer support to like-minded individuals.

"The Atheists In Kenya Society kindly requests to be invited to the upcoming National Prayer Breakfast to be held at the Safari Park Hotel on the 30th May, 2024.

"The national goal of the Atheists In Kenya Society is twofold-separation of church and state and to offer support to those who are like-minded (including agnostics, skeptics, humanists, free thinkers, skeptics, and spiritualists) and know they are not alone in a country where the majority have a religion," read the letter to Chepkonga.

Why do Atheists want inclusion?

Harrison Mumia, president of the Atheists in Kenya Society, said they want to participate in the event because taxpayers' money funds it.

Mumia told TUKO.co.ke that the prayer breakfast should live up to its main agenda of fostering inclusivity by bringing all Kenyans together, including atheists.

He warned they would take legal action if the Chepkonga-led group failed to heed their demands.

"We want to be invited because they are using taxpayers' money. If it was a church event, we wouldn't have any business attending. The prayer breakfast should be inclusive, bringing all Kenyans together, including atheists.

"If the parliament declines our demand, we will move to court on the grounds that the parliament is using taxpayers' money to benefit a few people, discriminating against atheists. One may ask are we going to pray, no but we must be there, hata tukienda tukunywe hiyo chai yao shida iko wapi? We are expecting a response by next week," he told TUKO.co.ke.

What did atheists ask from Kenyans?

In other news, Mumia begged Kenyans to help raise rent.

He said generous contributions from well-wishers would enable their office operations to proceed smoothly.

Netizens poked fun at the request, stating the society should turn to God.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke