Members of Parliament are threatening to push for the removal of Supreme Court judges over their decision allowing the registration of an organization fronting LGBTQ matters.
The MPS from Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja rejected the court ruling on a case filed by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community in Kenya.
Under a causus of Catholic MPs Spiritual Initiative (CAMPSI), Muslim MPs and Bunge Fellowship Group, the MPs said gayism is immoral, ungodly and violated the African culture.
CAMPSI Secretary General, Tongaren MP John Chikati and chairman, Bobasi MP Innocent Obiri, warned the NGO Board that MPs would push for its disbandment should it register any body championing LGBTQ affairs.
They argued that the countryhad more pressing issues to tackle including drought and hunger and should nt be dragged into homosexuality debates.
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“The support for the LGBTQ is now linked to foreign aid; you are denied funding if you oppose LGBTQ,” Obiri said.
Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma argues that the move by the Supreme Court coincided with US First Lady Jill Biden’s visit to Kenya saying LGBTQ legalization was being tied to US funding.
Kaluma also claimed to have received threats over his intention to table a Bill in the National Assembly seeking to increase the strictness of the penalties for homosexual offences.
“We cannot permit immorality expressly prohibited by our laws. It is interesting that the Supreme Court determination was issued when the US First Lady was coming. It is not coincidental that they are giving us Sh16 billion,” said Kaluma.
This comes a day after Kenya received Sh16 billion from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) towards food aid and drought mitigation efforts in the country.
Kaluma vowed to head to the Supreme Court to challenge the pro-LGBTQ ruling made by three judges of the apex court saying he had the backing of a number of religious bodies.
“We are going back to court and the Supreme Court should review its decision. If it doesn’t, we will go back to the people who have the ultimate power to disband the Supreme Court,” he added.
The contentious ruling was backed by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and justices Smokin Wanjala and Njoki Ndung’u while William Ouko and Mohammed Ibrahim dissented.
In their decision on Friday February 24, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that the decision by the NGO Board to ban homosexuals from forming a recognised group was prejudiced.
According to Justices Mwilu, Wanjala and Ndung’u, in spite of the fact that homosexuality is outlawed in Kenya, members of the LGBTQ community still enjoyed the right of association.