This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, the Atheist community in Kenya expressed their gratitude to President Uhuru Kenyatta for deciding not to reopen churches and other religious institutions in the country.
According to a press statement, the community urged the government to rely on scientific statistics rather than being swayed by calls from religious leaders.
Assistant Secretary of Atheists in Kenya, Kio Kinuthia, criticized the calls from church leaders to reopen churches, citing the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. He emphasized that the government should prioritize science over religious persuasions in matters of public health.
Mr. Kinuthia also took the opportunity to address the issue of noise pollution caused by churches in residential areas. He noted that the ban on public gatherings has led to a significant reduction in noise pollution, resulting in a more peaceful living environment for many Kenyans.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has maintained that all public gatherings remain prohibited, but officials from the National Emergency Response Committee (Nerc) will meet with religious leaders to discuss possible scenarios for reopening churches and mosques.
