The Atheists in Kenya Society are the latest to sympathise with self-proclaimed Jesus of Tongaren who was arrested last week.
Born Eliud Wekesa, the leader of Jerusalem church has been subjected to interrogations by police in Bungoma following claims that he is running an unregistered religious unit.
The cleric had also been accused of misleading his followers by claiming he is the Biblical son of God.
Arguing in his favour, the atheists said the Tongaren Jesus does not lead cult as the authorities suspect.
They further asserted that using the name 'Jesus' is not a crime given that as per their belief, the Jesus preaches in churches has not existed before.
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They thus want the preacher to be released from custody.
"We demand the immediate release of Jesus of Tongaren. The police must produce the real Jesus if their claim is that this man is not the real Jesus Christ, Son of Yahweh," partly reads the society's statement signed by its president Harrison Mumia.
They further added that;
"Our position is that Biblical "Jesus" is a fictional character, a construct created by the religions of Christendom. He never existed. Jesus of Tongeren exists, and as far as we are concerned, does not lead a cult,"
This came after renowned lawyer Cliff Ombeta asked the state to release the sensational preacher.
Ombeta said the state has no case against the preacher adding that his woes could be linked to the fact he christened himself Yesu Wa Tongaren.
But in an apparent defence over using the name Yesu was Tongaren, Ombeta said the name is not protected.
Like other biblical names used by several people, he said Wekesa committed no offence to name himself Yesu wa Tongaren.
"This Friday, let us ask? Is the name Jesus a protected name? Is it a personal name? Is it a universal name? He says he is Yesu wa Tongaren. Not Jesus of Nazareth," Ombeta said.
