Ministry of Culture comes under sharp criticism from Atheists in Kenya for sponsoring 46 gospel musicians to a trip in Europe

46 Kenyan gospel musicians and cultural artistes are leaving for Europe on a state-sponsored tour, and Atheists in Kenya are having none of it.

The group was flagged off at the ministry’s headquarters by Principal Secretary of Culture and Heritage Josephta Mukobe.

The ten-day state-sponsored European tour is meant to showcase Kenya’s culture and christian songs. Gloria Muliro, Eko Dydda, Janet Otieno, Anastacia Mukabwa, Kayamba Africa are some of the musicians who are part of the team flying out.

The group will tour Sweden, Germany, France and Switzerland where they will stage town hall and open-air concerts. They are slated to fly out on August 21st.

The tour goes against the spirit of constitution

Atheists in Kenya have voiced their concern over the state-sponsored tour. In a statement issued by its president Harrison Mumia, the non-believers claim the government is favoring Christians.

“We are concerned at how the state has in recent past treated Christianity with privilege and made the Christian belief a social norm in Kenya. The state should end marginalisation of atheists and members of other religions through institutional religious discrimination. The tour which is meant to showcase Kenya’s culture, goes against the spirit of our constitution, which establishes Kenya as a secular and religiously diverse nation,” read the statement in part.

Atheists call on the government to re-constitute the team that will be traveling to Europe.

“We urge the ministry to re-constitute the team that will visit Europe so that those who adhere to non-Christian beliefs form part of the team.”