Why Kenya and Uganda are Cracking Down on LGBTQ Rights
3Kenya and Uganda are moving to further curtail the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, whose relationships are already deemed illegal in the conservative East African nations.
Kenya's National Assembly on Wednesday, March 15 allocated some time to members to engage in the raging debate on homosexuality in Kenya.
Nyali Member of Parliament (MP) Mohammad Ali, who raised the motion, said he’ll lobby his colleagues to reject any attempts of legalising homosexuality in the country.
Same sex relations remain prohibited under the Kenyan law.
“It is our responsibility as MPs to reject any foreign influence that risks corrupting our society,” said Ali.
The lawmaker criticised the Supreme Court of Kenya’s February 21 judgement that allowed homosexuals the right to associate and group.
“If we continue on the current path, Kenya risks losing future generations,” added Ali.
The legislator said “human rights excuse” shouldn’t allow “western nations to control our country.”
“There is no such thing as a man having sexual relations with another man, or a woman with another woman. Such acts are devilish,” he said.
Ali said gay content shouldn’t be given airtime in the Kenyan media.
“Kenya is a God-fearing nation. We will not allow foreign behaviours to thrive under our watch,” he said.
Kilifi Town Member of Parliament (MP) Owen Baya, on his part, said the media should not be gagged from reporting about gays and lesbians, stating that media enjoys freedom of expression in the country.
“I’d ask Mohamed Ali to propose changes to the existing laws, including the Penal Code, so that stiffer penalties can be imposed on those found guilty of engaging in same-sex relationships. For now, the law criminalises such relationships,” said Baya.
In Kenya, persons found guilty of engaging in sexual intercourse against the order of nature risk spending 14 years in jail.
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