Religious leaders are preaching hate and violence against Kenya’s gay community
Kenyan human rights defenders are holding their breath. Since last weekend various gay people have been attacked and arrested in Mtwapa, a village near Mombasa. After rumours of a gay marriage, demonstrations were held during which both Christian and Islam leaders encouraged an outbreak of homophobia. Hivos partner GALCK (Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya) is trying to ensure the safety of LGBT-activists and the people who were arrested.
Last weekend the Kenyan police arrested six people in Mtwapa. During various demonstrations religious leaders encouraged hate and violence because of a gay marriage was allegedly being prepared. These rumours lead to gay people being attacked and abused in the streets. This homophobic violence did not only come from religious groups. Even a former Member of Parliament from the region appealed to the people to take the law into their own hands.
In Kenya, homosexuality between men is prohibited by law in principle. However, this does not often lead to actual arrests. That’s why the motive for these arrests remains unclear as yet. According to some witnesses the police arrested people in order to protect them. Others claimed that the police had been instructed to arrest people on the basis of suspicion of homosexuality.
For their safety, the LGBT organisations in this region have advised gays and lesbians to temporarily leave this coastal area or to go into hiding. GALCK works together with the Kenya Human Rights Commission and others to try and improve the situation. Legal procedures are being prepared against religious leaders who appealed for this violence.
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