NAIROBI: Kenya’s High Court ruled today that same-sex relations would continue to be illegal and hence banned. A colonial-era law banning same-sex relations remains intact now. It is being taken as a blow to the LGBTQI movement in Africa.
Same-sex relations have been prohibited since late 19th century when the British colonized Kenya. It is taken as against the order of nature and anyone found engaging in same-sex relationships may face imprisonment up to 14 years.
LGBTQI activists in the country have been fighting to strike down the law as it violates human rights. Waruguru Gaitho, a human rights lawyer at the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) vowed to take the fight to next level to press for the case of equality much bolder and far stronger.
Thirty-eight out of 55 African countries have banned the same-sex relations as being illegal. Somalia and South Sudan punishes it by death. Nigeria punishes the same-sex couples by a 14-year prison term while Tanzania by 30 years.
(Agencies)
Comment