On Wednesday, July 21, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga met the Muslim community as the 2022 presidential campaign enters the homestretch.
The former Prime Minister, while seeking the backing of the Muslim community, pledged that if elected the next president, he will bring to an end the current dominance of Christianity in Kenya.
According to the country’s 2019 census, it is estimated that more than 85 percent of the 47.2 million Kenyans are Christians whereas 11 percent are Muslims.
Raila said this had made Christians believe they are superior to other religions.
“There is a colonial ideology in Kenya that elevated Christianity above all other religions. My government will end that. Kenya is a secular society and we will respect all religions,” Odinga said.
Raila’s remarks elicited sharp reactions from netizens who were angered and impressed many in equal measures.
While Christians sharply critiqued Raila Odinga’s statement, the president of Atheists in Kenya Society, Harrison Mumia, lauded the former Prime Minister’s remarks.
In a statement seen by Kivumbi.ci.ke, Mumia stated that a section of Christians in Kenya consider other religions as inferiors.
While terming the dominance of Christianity as ‘inferior’ and ‘barbaric’, the Atheist president said it was time the country’s religion is reformed.
He said this will not only bring to an end the dominance of Christianity but will also fulfill the requirements of other beliefs individually or collectively, provided they are not infringing on the rights of others.
“For a long part of our history, African traditional religion and indigenous cultures were seen as inferior, barbaric, and backward. It is time we reformed our education system so that future generations can appreciate African traditional religion and culture as part of our history,” Mumia said.
