Kenya’s Supreme Court under seige over lgbtq legalization
Kenyan lawmakers have Disagreed with the Supreme Court after it reaffirmed its ruling on the legalization of the registration of an LGBTQ NGO.
Led by Nyali MP Mohammed Ali and MP Mwalyo Joshua, MP Murugara, Kenya’s Lawmakers have raised the issue, moving a motion to discuss it as a matter of national concern.
In Mombasa Mohammed Ali led Muslims and the Christian community to vehemently oppose the Supreme Court’s Ruling on the Registration of LGBTQ Organizations in Kenya.
He said as Leader in God-driven country such as Kenya he will stand by and for Kenya’s religious beliefs Traditional Values, Family Structure and The Natural Order of Mankind.
He reprimanded the Foreign Governments for pushing the Agenda in the country further demand them to refrain from meddling into Kenya’s affair.
“Stop pushing this agenda You MUST understand that we are governed by our Constitution that Clearly Criminalizes Homosexuality! We Do Not Meddle with their Laws, and They Should NOT Meddle with ours.”
With other legislators Ali has joined forces against the ruling by tabling a debate in the Kenya’s Parliament thwarting the move made the Kenya’s Supreme Court.
Ali was echoed by MP Joshua Kimilu who spoke out against the decision, claiming that it violated Kenyan law and culture. He also blamed the West for attempting to destroy Kenyan culture and tradition.
“Our culture is not going to be ruined by the West,” he said. “If they cannot give donations to Kenyans without these conditions, let them keep it.”
MP George Murugara, on the other hand, has called for a review of the Supreme Court’s decision. He stated that some issues, such as morality, take precedence over the law.
“In some cases where the law becomes repugnant to morality, then that is extremely bad law and should be done away with,” he said. “It is quite clear from our books that some of these things in LGBTQ are actually outlawed, and therefore anything associated with those characters cannot be allowed to stand against the morals of the people of Kenya.”
Farah Maalim went even further, requesting that the Supreme Court be censured for attempting to legislate from the bench.
He also advocated for the death penalty for LGBTQ offenses, claiming that it was worse than murder for Africans.
“They should have their own capital punishment,” he said. “This thing is worse than murder for us Africans.”
Kimani Ichungwah, on the other hand, backed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s stance on LGBTQ rights.
He urged Kenya to defend its culture, religion, and beliefs and not allow the West to impose its views on the country.
“We want to raise our children in an upright country and an upright society,” he said.
MP Rindiki Mugambi asked the Supreme Court to review its decision and take into consideration the majority of Kenyans.
“We ask the Supreme Court to look at what the constitution provides in terms of Human Rights,” he said. “I’m sure that judgement did not take into consideration the implied expectations of the majority of Kenyans.”
The MPs’ comments come at a time when Kenya’s LGBTQ community is fighting for recognition and acceptance. Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, many Kenyans still regard homosexuality as a taboo that violates Kenyan culture and religious beliefs.
This decision was reaffirmed in September 13 after its first ruling in February 24, 2023 where the Supreme Court ruled that denying LGBTQ members the right to register as an NGO was discriminatory.
This came after a lower court decision in 2013 that barred the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) from registering in Kenya. The decision was decided 3-2 by the Supreme Court.
SAMUEL MBOGOH
