Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance Presidential candidate Raila Odinga has said that Christianity was elevated by the white men to be more superior than others.
According to the former prime minister, that notion will stop if he takes over office as the next president.
“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,” Raila said.
Atheist society
The Atheists in Kenya Society has welcomed his remarks saying that Europeans used the excuse of Christianity to exploit Africa, by portraying the African traditional religion as inferior.
In a statement, Harrison Mumia, President of Atheists in Kenya Society, said:
“We welcome remarks by the Azimio Coalition Presidential candidate, Hon. Raila Odinga that Christianity has been elevated above all other religions, thanks to colonialism. Christianity was one justification that European powers used to colonize and exploit Africa. Through the dissemination of Christian doctrine, European nations undermined African culture,” said Mumia.
“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. We would like to remind all political parties in Kenya that Kenya is a Secular State. Freedom of conscience and belief is enshrined in our Constitution (Article 8 & 32). Citizens have the right to believe or not as they wish, and to fulfil the requirements of their beliefs individually or collectively, provided they are not infringing on the rights of others,” said Mumia.
