The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) wants President William Ruto to state his position on the registration of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Community (LGBTQ).
In a statement issued on Thursday, Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua expressed his opposition to what he sees as attempts to legitimise homosexuality through the Kenyan legal system.
“These bizarre decisions undermine the very core of our nation. Our foundation is built on the acknowledgement of God Almighty of all creation and family as the key pillar of society,” he said.
According to CIPK, the ruling made to grant LGBTQ members the freedom to associate was against family traditions, urging the president to speak up against it.
Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament George Peter Opondo Kaluma’s petition to nullify the registration of LGBTQ groups was dismissed by the Supreme Court on September 12.
Kaluma said he will be going to Kenya’s Apex Court to contest the ruling on the registration of an LGBTQ lobby group and the definition of sex as used in the case.
The outspoken lawmaker spoke to the media on Wednesday and claimed that the Kenyan judicial system was the weak link in the “battle against homosexuality in Kenya.”
“We have to return to the Supreme Court and petition the court to reverse its decision,” Kaluma said during a press briefing. “We must get the court to reaffirm the traditional definition of sex, which is male and female determined at birth.”
Elsewhere, the World Bank announced its decision to suspend new loans to Uganda due to the country’s enactment of the anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (anti-LGBTQ) law.
The Washington, DC-based institution stated on August 8 that it will temporarily halt project financing while it reviews the measures it had implemented to safeguard the rights of sexual and gender minorities within its projects.
“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world,” read part of the statement issued by the World Bank.
As part of its response, the World Bank will also enhance third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms to facilitate necessary corrective actions.
President William Ruto had also asserted his stance regarding the LGBTQ community despite the Supreme Court allowing the community to form lobby groups.
“We respect the Supreme Court’s decision, but that doesn’t mean we have to agree with it. Our values, customs, and Christianity do not allow us to support same-sex marriages. We have laws that govern us here in Kenya. I want to tell you that it will not be possible…it can happen in other countries but not here,” President Ruto said after the court ruling in March.
