KENYAN GAYS ADVISED TO STRATEGISE STRUGGLE FOR RIGHTS

By Ken Were (BTM Correspondent)
Image: Courtesy of www.pambazuka.org

NAIROBI - 22 May 2009: Kenya’s LGBTI community has called on government to embrace legislation that will amend and bring about laws that recognise their rights thus protecting them from homophobia.
 
They said this during an open discussion session with over 120 members of society including the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission, officials from the health sector, human rights activists, Other Sheep East Africa and so forth, organised by the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK) to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), on May 17.

The best way to ensure this, as advised by human rights activists, is to not engage their government in confrontation and grandstanding, but to strategically press for law reforms in the constitution.

According to Lawrance Mute, commissioner with the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC), government has to repeal all sections of laws criminalising same sex relationships and sodomy.

“This is along journey. The LGBTI community has to be ready to travel it, not only in Kenya but across Africa. It may not come tomorrow, but with concerted efforts and pressure it will bear fruits”, Commissioner Mute noted.

Mute said that when oppressive laws are repealed by parliament, the LGBTI community will have an opportunity to enjoy their full fundamental rights without fear of their security.

“With all these laws in place, one will have a right to complain to the government if he or she feels their fundamental rights are infringed or if they are discriminated in the society even by their very own family members”, Mute added.

Mute also challenged the LGBTI community in Kenya to engage the media on human rights policy issues so to generate a wide ranging debate, discussions and interrogation of rights deprivation as a result of ignorance from the society.

Muthoni Wanyeki, one of Kenya’s leading human rights defenders advised the LGBTI community vigorously raise awareness and initiate strong advocacy for their rights.
“You must have a blue print document to let the government know that you are on with campaigns for your rights to be respected and recognised”, Wanyeki added.

Reverend Micheal Kimundu, of Other Sheep East Africa and former cleric of the Anglican Church of Kenya narrated how he was cast out of the church by its leadership for openly supporting LGBTI rights.

“I want to confirm to you that religious groups hold highest homophobia on us. It’s upon us now to educate church leaders and their followers on fundamental human rights. We must be able change their attitude though reaching to them, talking to them and interacting with them.”

The event, which aimed to commemorate IDAHO, Promote the work of GALCK and to reach out to the Kenyan society, was a success according to David Kuria, Manager of GALCK.
“The fact that we managed to bring together of 120 members of society to talk about issues of homophobia, was a great achievement”, Kuria said.