Kisumu, governor, Anyang' Nyong'o, on Tuesday, November 8, held a closed meeting with clergymen where he clarified reports alleging that he banned crusades.
Nyongo' stated that contrary to reports, his decision was solely based on reducing public nuisance rather than banning religious rallies.
"Today, in the company of city manager, Abala Wanga, we had fruitful deliberations with the leadership of the Clergy from Nyanza Region led by Apostle Dr Washington Ogonyo Ngede.
"As a county, we did not ban crusades but want it to be regulated and conducted without interfering with other people's rights," he explained.
Earlier on, Wanga had alluded to the gatherings taking place inside the church's grounds rather than in public areas.
He added that the public was concerned with the rise of night vigils (keshas) and crusades in residential sections of the city.
"Notice is hereby provided to all religious institutions to ensure that all public religious gatherings in neighborhoods and estates are ceased and held within their church grounds and not in any public space," the statement circulated to religious places indicated.
Harrison Mumia, president of Atheists in Kenya Society, supported banning public religious services.
Mumia argued that noise emitted from religious institutions is one of Kenya's major causes of noise pollution.
"Nobody, whatever the religion or purpose, can claim a right to create noise even in his own premises which would travel beyond his precincts and cause a nuisance to neighbours or others,” stated Mumia.
Atheists also wanted the county government to ban the call for prayers by Muslims.
He insisted that he believed faith is a private matter that doesn't need to be publicised to prove a point to the public.
