Kenya Delays Implementation of Law Against Same-Sex Relationships
Kenya remains yet to implement laws banning same-sex relationships, a revelation made during a recent meeting of the Committee on Implementation. The session highlighted concerns over the perceived proliferation of LGBTQ rights and its implications for Kenyan culture and society.
Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani, Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, expressed strong opposition to the acceptance of same-sex relationships, suggesting it threatens population growth and could lead to external exploitation of Africa’s resources. “This is an attack on African culture,” he asserted, arguing that promoting same-sex relationships could diminish the youth population and facilitate foreign interests in Africa.
In response to questions regarding government measures to counteract what he termed the “same-sex agenda,” Joseph Mogosi Motari, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Social Protection, outlined initiatives to improve the welfare of vulnerable children. He reported that nearly 1.74 million households received cash support in September as part of the National Prevention and Response Plan on Violence Against Children.
However, Committee members criticized the responses as overly vague and not addressing the specific issues related to same-sex relations. Hon. Mark Mwenje warned that legislative pressure could deter the President from assenting to any proposed bills against LGBTQ rights, citing the influence of international NGOs advocating for these issues.
The meeting was convened to discuss a motion by Nyali legislator Mohamed Ali, seeking to ban discussions and dissemination of information promoting same-sex relationships in Kenya. This motion highlights ongoing legal challenges by LGBTQ representatives against prohibitive laws, as well as concerns about subtle portrayals of same-gender relationships in educational materials.
The session, co-chaired by Hon. Hilary Kosgei and Hon. Mark Mwenje, underscored the divide in perspectives on LGBTQ rights in Kenya, amid ongoing debates about discrimination and human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
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