Kenya

After moving out of their comfort zone, atheists in Kenya gain visibility

By Fredrick Nzwili — February 7, 2022
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A small atheist organization in Kenya is gaining ground in this largely Christian nation as it tackles political ideologies and human rights matters, wading into debates outside its usual critiques of religion.

Kenyan Muslim leaders demand government action on unexplained disappearances

By Fredrick Nzwili — November 16, 2021
(RNS) — Muslim leaders fear a government campaign against terrorism has transformed into war against Islam and Muslims.

Kenyan Methodists defy ban on campaigning at church, saying ‘humans are political’

By Fredrick Nzwili — September 22, 2021
(RNS) — One Christian official said resistance to church guidelines on political speech risks a repeat of electoral violence in 2008.

Kenyan Anglican province defies moratorium to ordain woman bishop

By Fredrick Nzwili — September 15, 2021
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The Rev. Rose Okeno was installed as bishop of the Butere Diocese on Sunday, even as a 2018 moratorium of the Global Anglican Future Conference resolved to halt the consecration of women into the episcopate until a consensus is reached.

Amid hesitation in African Anglican provinces, Kenya appoints first two women bishops

By Fredrick Nzwili — August 5, 2021
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The consecration of women as bishops in the eastern African nation is still controversial.

In Kenya, faith groups work to resettle youth returning from al-Shabab

By Fredrick Nzwili — July 2, 2021
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — More than 300 such youths who had traveled to Somalia for training as jihadists had been rescued and brought back to the country.

Kenyan woman ‘marries’ the Holy Spirit in Anglican ceremony

By Fredrick Nzwili — June 4, 2021
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A man who said he is her husband viewed the most recent ceremony differently: “There are not two marriages here. She is my wife.”

Kenyan Rastafarians seek to legalize marijuana over doubts of other faith leaders

By Fredrick Nzwili — May 20, 2021
(RNS) — ‘We want the world to no longer see it as a narcotic, but a medical plant that can help the creation,’ said a Rastafarian leader.

Barack Obama’s beloved step-grandmother, a Muslim and philanthropist, dies in Kenya at 99

By Fredrick Nzwili — March 29, 2021
(RNS) — The family matriarch and celebrated philanthropist was open to all faiths, religious leaders here have said.

Across Africa, hijab in schools divides Christians and Muslims

By Fredrick Nzwili — March 15, 2021
(RNS) — Some religious experts believe hijab should be banned from schools to create a learning environment free of religious influences.

Islamist militants fuel Christian persecution in Kenya, faith leaders say

By Fredrick Nzwili — February 8, 2021
(RNS) — Somalia's al-Shabaab militants are trying to export their tyrannical strain of Shariah law, attacking Christians and churches.

Christmas holiday bus attacks in Kenya bring condemnation from Christian and Muslim leaders

By Fredrick Nzwili — December 16, 2020
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Christian and Muslim leaders have stepped up interfaith dialogue in hopes of reining in the bus attacks and other threats to the border region’s small Christian community.

How coronavirus lockdowns in the US starve vulnerable abroad

By Darren Tyler — July 7, 2020
(RNS) — More people may die from the lockdown policies designed to stop the virus than from the virus itself.

Amid pandemic, the Wichita Kenyan community unites virtually through food and family

By Kelly Wairimu Davis — May 28, 2020
(RNS) — ‘Every weekend, we are cooking to take food to socialize,’ Teresia Wambugu said. ‘Now, we’re not going anywhere. But for some people that’s good. We had forgotten about God. Families weren’t eating together. Now, they are home like a family.’

Kenyan atheist demands Quakers revoke his membership 

By Fredrick Nzwili — October 24, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Harrison Mumia, president of the Atheists in Kenya Society, applied to the church to cancel his membership and remove any records associated with him, since he no longer considers himself a Christian.
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