As senators were taking the oath of office today, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General and Nominated Senator Veronica Maina as well as Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah set tongues wagging after taking a different route from their colleagues.
Almost all senators were taking the affirmation of office while holding a religious book. Most senators were either holding the Bible or the Quran.
However, the two took to the oath without any religious text.
This raised eyebrows among Kenyans.
Some citizens wondered whether the two are atheists or believe in traditional African gods.
Maina was put under more scrutiny since his party whose leader is President-elect William Ruto milked from religious fanaticism to seek votes.
Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua depicted their rivals, Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua as non-believers and atheists.
Reactions
Muchera 254: “They are confirming to be members of atheist community.”
Abdulahi Hersi: “These two should be expelled from the senate. Kenya is a country whose foundation is pegged on GOD. They’re breaking the constitution and should not have taken the oath.”
Mwangi Hesbon: “Are they atheists or native Africans religion?”
Oketch Jared: “The Bible is very clear about it. Do not swear by anything whether you are saying the truth or a lie. Your yes should be YES and NO and NO.”
Peter Kariuki: “Some Christians prefer to affirm instead of going against an express commandment in the Bible about swearing. There’s this nothing untoward about this globally acceptable practice of affirmation.”
Khalid Ali Joho: “They are not atheists or African religion but they don’t want to swear on the book coz they understand very well that being a politician in Kenya is lies, fraud and corruption one way non stop.”
