Kenya Hosts First Diwali Celebration at State House, Ruto Promises Freedom of Religion

This year, the President has taken the initiative to host Diwali celebrations at State House, Nairobi, in honor of the Indian community in Kenya. Diwali, regarded as the most significant holiday in India, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The festivities typically span five to six days. During the celebrations, President William Ruto assured the Indian-Kenyan community that his administration would explore the possibility of declaring Diwali a public holiday by next year.

In his speech, President Ruto emphasized that his government upholds freedom of worship and will not impose any restrictions on religious practices. He reassured Kenyans that his administration is committed to safeguarding the constitutional right to religion, ensuring that all citizens are free to worship according to their beliefs. The President further pledged that his government would protect this right for all religions in the country.

This statement comes amid growing discussions around the Religious Organisations Bill (2024), introduced by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana. The bill seeks to establish a registry for religious institutions, granting the authority to register or deregister religious organizations and leaders. This proposal has raised concerns among religious leaders and worshippers, who have urged the President and other political figures to oppose it.

In response to growing concerns over religious extremism, President Ruto had earlier appointed an 18-member task force, led by Reverend Mutava Musyimi, to address gaps in the regulation of religious bodies. This task force was formed following the tragic events in Shakahola, where many Kenyans lost their lives due to misleading religious teachings. Its mandate includes developing legal measures to prevent extremist groups from operating in Kenya and proposing civic education initiatives to raise awareness about the dangers of religious cults. Globally, the rise of cults and radical ideologies has become a significant concern, contributing to increased radicalization in various societies.