| Atheists In Kenya Society | |
| Abbreviation: | AIK |
| Full Name: | Atheists In Kenya Society |
| Founder: | Harrison Mumia |
| Type: | Nonprofit |
| Registration Id: | 47958 |
| Purpose: | To promote the growth and interaction of atheists in Kenya |
| Headquarters: | Summit House, Moi Avenue, Nairobi |
| Location City: | Nairobi |
| Location Country: | Kenya |
| Coordinates: | -1.2875°N 36.8262°W |
| Region: | Africa |
| Region Served: | Kenya |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Harrison Mumia |
| Leader Title2: | Vice President |
| Leader Name2: | Hellen Kathure |
| Leader Title3: | Secretary |
| Leader Name3: | Michelle Nekesa |
| Leader Title4: | Treasurer |
| Leader Name4: | Samson Mbavu |
| Main Organ: | Executive Committee |
| Affiliations: | Humanists International |
The Atheists In Kenya Society is an atheist organization, registered under the Societies Act in Kenya. It is the first non-religious society to be registered in the country.
The national goal of the Atheists In Kenya Society is twofold — separation of church and state and to offer support to those who are like-minded (including agnostics, skeptics, humanists, free thinkers, skeptics, and spiritualists) and know they are not alone in a country where the majority have a religion. The Atheists In Kenya Society is a member organization of Humanists International.
The society was established in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 17, 2016. Harrison Mumia is the founder and president. The foundation has its headquarters in Summit House, Nairobi.
In 2013, a group of Kenyans met with the aim of establishing a nonreligious society. They held informal meetings in various restaurants in Nairobi and used social media, especially Facebook, to connect with like-minded Kenyans. This group included Ssemakula Mukiibi, Zack Wanambwa, Elizabeth Wangari and Ellen Mical. In 2015, they applied for registration, which was first rejected by the Deputy Registrar of Societies in Kenya.
On February 17, 2016, the Kenyan government issued Mumia with a certificate for the organization under Societies Act, Cap. 108.
In 2016, April, the society's registration was suspended by the then Attorney General, Githu Muigai, due to pressure from the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches, who claimed the establishment of the group threatened the public peace. Mumia then took the case to the High Court of Kenya, where he challenged the suspension.
In 2018, the High Court of Kenya quashed the suspension and had the society reinstated.
In 2023, Kenya’s first atheist group was battling to keep legal recognition in a case filed by a Christian bishop seeking to suspend its registration.[1]
The objects of the society are:
In 2015, the group called for the passage of laws that would prohibit street preachers from spreading the faith in public places, including matatus.
In 2016, AIK wrote to the Commissioner-General of the Kenya Revenue Authority, John Njiraini, demanding that churches not be exempt from taxes.
In 2020, the society, through its president, Mumia, paid school fees for one of the top students in 2019 KCPE from Baringo County.
The Association has also pursued several campaigns in court to advocate for the scrapping of religious education in Kenyan's basic education curriculum.
They have also lobbied for February 17 to be declared as an atheist national holiday.
In 2022, the group called on political parties and politicians sign a declaration stating they will respect and not discriminate against anybody on the basis of their religion or lack of one.[2]
The Executive Committee since December 16, 2021: