About Kenya

official name: Republic of Kenya
capital: Nairobi
head of state: President Mwai Kibaki
state: multi party democracy
population: 34,707,817
independence: from Britain in 1963
languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
religion: Protestant 38%, Roman Catholic 28%, indigenous beliefs 26%, Muslim 7%, other 1%
currency: Kenyan shilling (KES) 

Legal Wise

status of homosexuality: illegal
age of consent: 16
laws covering homosexual activity: Sections 162 to 165 of the Penal Code criminalize homosexual behaviour and attempted homosexual behaviour between men, referring to it as "carnal knowledge against the order of nature". The penalty is 5 to 14 years' imprisonment. Lesbian relations are not mentioned in the law. (PB)

November 1994: Kenya deported an Australian homosexual who worked at a hotel in the resort of Lamu Nov. 2, Reuter reported. Immigration officials said the man was told to leave "to protect him from the people of Lamu who abhor homosexual activities. Two other suspected queers were targeted as well but immigration officials were unable to locate them. "Homosexuality is prohibited under our country's laws and is morally unacceptable in our society," immigration spokesman Frank Kwinga explained. "We shall not allow these people to come and teach our people bad manners." "(RW/ 951)

June 26, 1998: Kenyan law defines any sexual relations between men as a criminal act. There are, however, few prosecutions; one exception is the current (early 1998) investigation into the Forum for Positive Generation on Aids Prevention, a registered community organisation for people with HIV in Kisumu. Police allege that the organisation has been "recruiting" homosexuals.

Background information and government attitudes:
Kenya opposed any discussion of lesbian issues during the 1985: UN Women's Conference.

1993: Kenya's principal immigration officer, Frank Kwinga: "homosexuality is morally unacceptable in our country" (The Guardian, London, 3/11/93 - p12 - HRHSA)

1995: President Daniel arap Moi claimed that "words like lesbianism and homosexuality do not exist in African languages"

Communication

main lines in use: 281,800 (2005)
cellular telephones: 4.612 million (2005)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 24, FM 18, shortwave 6 (2001).
Radios: 3.07 million (1997).
Television broadcast stations: 8 (2002).
Televisions: 730,000 (1997).
Internet hosts: 13,274 (2006)
Internet users: 1,054,900 (2005)

links and contacts

gay kenya
URL: www.gaykenya.com
Email: info@gaykenya.com

Ishtar: Mr Emmanuel Kamau (AUNTY IVY)
P.O. Box 20209 - 00100,
Nairobi , KENYA .
Email: :ishtarsgl@yahoo.com/emmanuelkamau@yahoo.co.uk
Fax:  +254 020 248423
Cell Phone: +254 - 722-979730
 

TOMIK/The Other Men in Kenya: georgekibe2003@hotmail.com>
 
"Free and Confidential Gay/MSM-friendly VCT, Care, Support and  Counselling services"
Contact Angus at Liverpool VCT & Care
Hurlingham Off Argwings Kodhek Rd
(Opposite former Kati Kati Restaurant)
Nairobi
(route 46 from town)
email: msmservices@liverpoolvct.org
cell: 0721 429 939

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