The Supreme Court’s decision to permit the registration of LGBTQ groups in Kenya sparked protests in Nairobi, which were led by Nyali Member of Parliament Mohammed Ali alias Jicho Pevu.
While the UDA MP and other lawmakers marched in the capital city, a different group protested in Mombasa and demanded that the decision be overturned.
Following the midday Jumu’ah prayers, the protest got underway in both towns, and subsequently, Christians who were there joined in.
Contrary to other demonstrations in Kenya, no police officers were seen patrolling the streets or clearing the crowds of protesters from Nairobi’s traffic.
To express their concerns, demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court building at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) at the intersection of Taifa Road and City Hall Way.
While some screamed anti-LGBTQ slurs and verses from the Quran, others criticised the government for being silent on the issue.
Some people criticised the five-judge panel that affirmed the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission’s (NGLHRC) eligibility to register in February of this year.
In September, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling, saying that by refusing to register the NGO, the individuals were being found guilty before breaking the law.
As a result of this decision, members of the LGBTQ community now have the ability to ask the Non-Governmental Organisations Coordination Board for official recognition.
