A Bishop has petitioned the High Court for the suspension and de-registration of Kenya’s Atheist Society.
Bishop Stephen Ndichu has also sued the Registrar of Societies, the Deputy Registrar of Societies, Mukulu Kariuki, the Attorney General in his appeal to the high court.
Ndichu, represented by Rukungu Mwongela Yashim and Co. Advocates, requests that the court stop the operations of the society in the country awaiting the outcome of the case.
“That the fourth respondent was registered as a society in Kenya under societies act cap 108 Laws of Kenya under registration number 47958 on February 17, 2016, and its activities have continued to violate the article of the preamble of the constitution of Kenya 2010 which acknowledges the existence of God,” read the petition in full.
The petitioner also in court papers says that the Atheist through social media statements and press statements has expressed its distaste against religion.
“Through press statements, Twitter accounts and social media platforms, the fourth respondent has undermined people’s belief in religions and people professing their religious freedom and beliefs, companionship and assembly,” Ndichu said through his lawyer.
The petitioner also claims that the Atheists act, comments, and/or directives violate the rule of law by providing such comments and/or directives without regard to the provisions of law set forth in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which establishes fundamental human rights and freedom.
“Unless the registration of the fourth respondent is nullified, the fourth respondent will continue to set an unconstitutional precedent, that the aforementioned registration is unconstitutional because it is keeping up with the principles of good governance enriched in article 10 of the constitution of Kenya 2010,” said the petitioner.
In response to the Atheist, their lawyer told the court that they were registered within the meaning of section 1 of the society Act Cap 108 of the laws of Kenya.
