As most Kenyans are in celebration to welcome pope Francis into the country this evening,with others viewing it as a blessing for getting a day off their boring and tiresome office work,seemingly not everyone is happy with the president’s move to declare Thursday the 26th a public holiday.
Atheists have moved to court in a bid to challenge the government’s declaration of Thursday as national holiday terming the move as unconstitutional.
The president of the atheists organization in Kenya Harrison Mumia has filed a case at the High Court seeking to have the gazette notice issued to declare Thursday a public holiday nullified.
Mr Mumia said the move by the government contravenes Articles 8, 9 and 32 of the Constitution and injures the economy of the country as much revenue will be lost due to the small number of businesses that will be conducted.
The constitution clearly states that there shall be no state religion. We cannot have the government acting religiously,” said Mr Mumia, who accused the government of portraying the country as a Christian state.
He added that by declaring Thursday a national day of prayer, the government was acting contrary to article 32 of the constitution.
It is well highlighted that a person shall not be compelled to act, or engage in any act, that is contrary to the person’s belief or religion,” added Mr Mumia.
The atheist are now seeking a court order to nullify the gazette notice and have Thursday be treated as a normal day.
We trust in the judicial system and we hope that the right thing will be done and people will resume their duties come Thursday,” said Mr Mumia.
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