Religion is a powerful force that shapes the lives and identities of millions of Kenyans. However, religion can also be a source of exploitation, manipulation, and violence. In this article, I will explore the issue of religion in Kenya, and how it affects the people’s rights, freedoms, and well-being. I will also examine the role of the media, the government, and the civil society in addressing the challenges and opportunities that religion presents in the Kenyan context.

Religion and Atheism in Kenya

According to the 2019 census, about 85.5% of Kenyans identify as Christians, 10.9% as Muslims, and 1.6% as non-religious. The non-religious category includes atheists, agnostics, humanists, and secularists. Atheism is a minority position in Kenya, and it often faces stigma, discrimination, and hostility from the religious majority. Atheists in Kenya have been denied registration as a society, accused of being immoral and unpatriotic, and threatened with violence and death.

One of the reasons why there are many atheists in Kenya is the disillusionment with religion, especially Christianity. Many Kenyans have witnessed or experienced the abuses and scandals that some religious leaders have committed in the name of God, such as feeding their followers grass, spraying them with insecticide, walking on them, and sexually exploiting them. These actions have eroded the credibility and authority of religion and have led some people to question and reject its teachings and practices.

Another reason why some Kenyans have abandoned religion is the influence of education, science, and rationality. Some Kenyans have found religion to be incompatible with their intellectual and scientific pursuits and have opted for a more naturalistic and evidence-based worldview. Some have also challenged the historical and theological claims of religion, and have exposed its contradictions and fallacies. For instance, some have argued that religion is a product of colonialism, and that it has distorted and suppressed the indigenous cultures and traditions of Africa.

Religion and Slavery in Kenya

Religion in Kenya has also been criticized for being a form of modern slavery, as it exploits and oppresses the people economically, socially, and politically. Religion in Kenya is a big business, as some religious leaders and organizations amass wealth and power at the expense of their followers.

Some religious leaders demand tithes, offerings, and donations from their followers, and use them to fund their lavish lifestyles, while their followers remain poor and needy. Some religious organizations also evade taxes, and enjoy privileges and exemptions that other sectors do not have.

Religion in Kenya also controls and limits the people’s choices and freedoms, especially in matters of sexuality, reproduction, and health. Some religious leaders and groups oppose and obstruct the provision and access of family planning, abortion, contraception, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services, claiming that they are against God’s will and morality. Some also promote and practice harmful cultural practices, such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, and polygamy, that violate the rights and dignity of women and girls.

Religion in Kenya also influences and interferes with the political affairs and governance of the country. Some religious leaders and groups endorse and support certain political candidates and parties, and use their platforms and networks to mobilize and manipulate their followers to vote for them. Some also lobby and pressure the government to enact and implement laws and policies that favor their interests and agendas, and that undermine the secular and democratic principles of the constitution. Some also incite and fuel ethnic and religious conflicts and violence, especially during elections.

Religion and Liberation in Kenya

Despite the negative aspects of religion in Kenya, religion can also be a source of liberation and empowerment for the people. Religion can provide hope, comfort, and meaning to the people who face hardships and challenges in their lives. Religion can also inspire and motivate the people to overcome their fears and doubts, and to pursue their dreams and goals. Religion can also foster and promote values and virtues, such as love, peace, justice, and compassion, that can enhance the quality and dignity of human life.

Religion can also play a positive role in the development and transformation of the society. Religion can contribute to the provision and improvement of essential services, such as education, health, and social welfare, especially for the marginalized and vulnerable groups. Religion can also advocate and campaign for the protection and promotion of human rights, especially for the oppressed and discriminated groups, such as women, children, minorities, and refugees. Religion can also facilitate and support dialogue and reconciliation, especially among the divided and conflicted groups, such as ethnic and religious communities .

Religion can also participate and collaborate in the political and governance processes of the country. Religion can educate and empower the people to exercise their civic rights and duties, such as voting, petitioning, and protesting. Religion can also monitor and hold accountable the government and its officials, and expose and denounce corruption, impunity, and injustice. Religion can also propose and support alternative and progressive policies and reforms, that can address the root causes and structural problems of the society.

Conclusion

Religion in Kenya is a complex and dynamic phenomenon, that has both positive and negative impacts on the people and the society. Religion can be a source of liberation or oppression, depending on how it is understood and practiced. Therefore, there is a need for a critical and constructive engagement with religion, that can harness its potential for good, and minimize its potential for harm. There is also a need for a respectful and inclusive dialogue among the religious and non-religious groups, that can foster mutual understanding and cooperation. As George Orwell said, “In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Let us tell the truth about religion in Kenya, and work together for a better future.

About The Author