President William Ruto’s reported statement at State House that “a person without religion is an animal” is deeply regrettable and deserves an immediate public apology.
As the Head of State, President Ruto represents all Kenyans—not only those who profess a religion. His office carries the constitutional responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of every citizen, including those who choose not to belong to any religion. By comparing non-religious people to animals, he crossed a line that no national leader should cross.
The Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person the freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, and opinion. This freedom includes the right to have a religion, to change one’s religion, or to have no religion at all. Atheists are equal citizens under the Constitution and are entitled to the same respect and protection as everyone else.
Words matter, especially when they come from the President. Describing atheists as animals is dehumanizing and risks encouraging discrimination against a minority community that has, for many years, been subjected to prejudice, hostility, and exclusion simply because of its beliefs.
The implication that morality depends on religion is also unsupported by evidence. Around the world, millions of non-religious people live ethical, law-abiding, and compassionate lives. They serve as doctors, teachers, judges, engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, soldiers, and public servants. Their contributions to society are measured by their actions—not by whether they belong to a religious faith.
History also teaches an important lesson: some of humanity’s greatest acts of kindness have been performed by religious and non-religious people alike, while some of the worst atrocities have also been committed by people acting in the name of religion or ideology. Goodness and cruelty are human choices, not exclusive products of religious belief.
Kenya is a secular constitutional democracy. It is not a religious state where citizenship or human worth is determined by belief in God. Every Kenyan, regardless of their worldview, deserves equal respect from those entrusted with public office.
The Atheists In Kenya Society therefore calls upon President Ruto to publicly retract his remarks and apologize to atheists and all non-religious Kenyans. Such an apology would demonstrate respect for the Constitution, reaffirm the equal dignity of every citizen, and help foster national unity rather than deepen unnecessary divisions.
Leadership should unite people, not demean minorities. Kenya’s diversity of beliefs is one of its strengths, and our leaders must uphold the constitutional principle that every person is equal before the law and deserving of respect.
The Atheists In Kenya Society will continue to defend freedom of thought, freedom of conscience, and the equal rights of all Kenyans, regardless of whether they believe in a god or not.