Two human rights groups have condemned religious and political leaders who staged anti-LGBTQ protests in Nairobi last Friday.
Muslims for Human Rights and Concerned Citizens on Tuesday said the religious and political leaders’ protests were inciting in nature and endangered the lives of the LGBTQ community members.
“The incitement have now made the LGBTQ community members fearful and some have already started calling us expressing fear for their lives,” Muhuri’s rapid response officer Francis Auma told the Star on the phone Tuesday.
On Friday, hundreds of Muslims and conservative Christians in Nairobi gathered outside the Supreme Court to protest its decision last month allowing the LGBTQ community to form and register an association.
They said the verdict is akin to allowing immorality and homosexuality in the country.
Auma said there are laws to be followed in Kenya and whoever goes against those laws should be prosecuted in the courts of law and not in the streets.
“It is sad that religious leaders, who should be in the forefront preaching peace, are the ones now calling for the death of LGBTQ community members,"Auma said.
“I was disappointed to hear them say they should be burnt, deported, stoned to death. Ati there are three things. This is very wrong.”
The rapid response officer said LGBTQ members are human beings like any other, not animals.
“We should not stigmatise them. We should not heap blame on them. It is the courts that ruled they have a right to form associations. Why are we not condemning the courts?” Auma posed.
He said homosexuality in Kenya is illegal and he does not condone it but there are laws that should be followed.
Calling for the community to be denied services, he said, is wrong.
“Stealing from public coffers is also illegal in Kenya, why are the religious leaders and politicians not calling for the stoning of those who steal from public coffers?” Auma posed.
He said religious leaders are fast becoming hypocritical and this will lead to massive pain and suffering for the millions of Kenyans who have faith in their religious leaders.
“The President should raise his voice on this and make a stand. He should assure the LGBTQ community members that their lives will not be in danger. His silence could be interpreted in many ways,” Auma said.
Bradley Ouna, from Concerned Citizens, said leaders should realise that their words have weight and they should be careful what their tongues proclaim.
“If the religious leaders do not like their habits, they should correct them. Take them to church and mosques. Calling for denial of service for them is immoral and hypocritical,” he said.
Ouna said the LGBTQ members also pay taxes like other Kenyans and they should get services like other Kenyans.
“LGBTQ members should be respected as human beings first,” he said.
