The space for homosexuality in Kenya

"[Homosexuality] is as serious as terrorism. It's as serious as any other social evil." These were the words of the leader of the Majority in Kenyan parliament, the Honorable Aden Duale during a parliamentary debate about enacting tougher rules against homosexuality; an earlier ruling in Uganda criminalizing homosexuality triggered this debate. The year 2014 would later witness heightened debate about enforcing a ban on homosexuality on one hand, and protecting the rights of Gays and Lesbians under the new constitution’s bill of rights on the other hand. One American article in August 2014 described the proposed tougher anti-homosexuality laws in Kenya as “new kill-the-gays” laws. Eventually these processes would lead to a court ruling calling on the government to register a lobby group for Gays and Lesbians in Kenya.

I am unqualified to argue the constitutionality or otherwise of the rights of Gays and Lesbians—I will restrict myself to the cultural and religious-moral issues against homosexuality raised by Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto last weekend. According to Mr. Ruto, Kenya has no room for homosexuality, because “it goes against our cultural and religious beliefs” and it is “un-African.” Consequently, he says, the government will fully defend and support the church in the fight against homosexuality.