An extraordinary row has broken out over the legal recognition of an atheists society in Kenya.
The Atheists in Kenya group was legally registered on February 17 and claims 115 members. It is the only atheists society in Kenya and claims to be the most "vibrant" one in Africa.
However, after protests by the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches (KNCPC), the attorney general ordered the suspension of the registration at the end of April. The group will remain suspended "until the propriety, legality and constitutionality of the registration is determined by the Supreme Court", said Githu Muigai's statement.
KNCPC vice chair Stephen Ndichu said: "As people who believe in God, we register our disgust to the [attorney general] for the way he has casually and in utter contempt been handling religious issues.
"He has now touched the nerve of every person of faith by registering a society that denies the existence of God."
He called for the attorney general's resignation, saying: "We ask the AG to quit office with immediate effect. We cannot have a legal advisor to the government who misleads the state on matters of religions. Freedom of worship is a constitutional obligation of every Kenyan, it should not be misrepresented for the interests of few individuals in the country."
Muslim leader Abdullahi Abdi also criticised the registration, saying: "We are a people of faith. We are now opening up to ideas that promote immorality through erosion of our values anchored on religion."
According to Kenya's Standard, society president Harrison Mumia said: "This group has no relation to devil worshiping, freemasonry, satanism. We do not intend to indulge in any sexual perversions, drug abuse or any other outlawed indulges. This is a party by atheists in Kenya and for atheists. We want to bring atheists together and only people above 18 are eligible to join."
Kenya is 82.5 per cent Christian. Its constitution guarantees freedom of religion but its preamble acknowledges "the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation" and concludes "God bless Kenya."
