Thousands of Christians yesterday celebrated Easter Sunday marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago.

In Nairobi, Catholic Archbishop Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki led hundreds of faithful in a solemn Mass he concelebrated at the Holy Family Basilica as the 40 days period of Lent came to an end.

Delivering his homily to an overflowing congregation, Ndingi refuted emerging claims by some African scholars that Christianity was a religion for the Whites while the Old Testament was for the Jews.

He said Christianity was not for a particular nation or race, adding that the Catholic Church which has about 10 million followers in Kenya was for all races having been founded by Jesus Christ Himself.

The Catholic primate, resplendent in cream and gold vestments symbolising the glorious resurrection of Christ, cautioned Christians to take a critical look at a new bible titled Ka: The Holy Book of Neter written by David Maillu and other scholars.

"Christianity is the religion founded by Christ and its message is universal whether we are Europeans, Africans or Asians. It is the religion of the believers in Christ," he told the congregation.

He said Catholics were not forbidden from reading the African bible but they should analyse the contents critically not to compromise their faith.

Archbishop Ndingi's remarks on the new bible were the first by a senior most Roman Catholic Church leader about the yet to be published book.

The potentially controversial book is bound to cause ripples not only in literary circles but also in religious corridors. Its authors say the book is intended to be "a bible for African religion".

Unlike the Christian Bible and the Muslim Koran which are said to have been communicated directly to man from God, Maillu's African bible is said to be a product of the diverse African culture.