Release Political Prisoners Trust, a human rights organisation, wishes to register its unqualified support for the position taken by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights in regard to the rights and status of Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual and Transgender people as well as commercial sex workers. We oppose any attempt by sections of the religious sector to stifle informed, open and honest public debate on this important issue on the basis of their own perceptions and beliefs on private morality. Indeed, we call upon the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to take a keen look and possibly investigate these religious groups for promoting hatred and discrimination against non-heterosexuals and commercial sex workers in their recent utterances.

RPP notes that the constitution protects all Kenyans against any form of discrimination. We further note that the bill of rights guarantees all persons, non-heterosexuals included, all rights and entitlements under that Chapter. These rights include the right to health and education. We note that a significant number of new HIV infections in Kenya, up to 15 percent, are attributable to gay men and 6 out every 10 gay men are in heterosexuals relationships. This calls for all concerned to ensure that non-heterosexuals have access to information and preventive services just like heterosexuals. Even when they get infected, non-heterosexuals rarely have access to treatment and are discriminated against by health providers.

RPP notes several incidences in the recent past where non-heterosexuals have been threatened and attacked while seeking medical support for HIV treatment. The incident in 2009 in Mtwapa at the KEMRI facility stands out. In this incident, gay men were attacked and prevented from accessing the facility to seek medication and counselling. This is the situation that sections of the clergy are promoting. If we note any further incidences of physical attacks or threats on non-heterosexuals, we shall hold the clergy responsible.

RPP calls upon all Kenyans to ignore the attacks on non-heterosexuals by the clergy and their conservative stooges such as the Kenya Christian Professional Forum. The report by the KNCHR requires of all Kenyans a genuine reflection on its recommendations, not the bigotry and homophobia being spewed by some clergy. The consistent attacks by the clergy on the KNCHR are an attempt to intimidate any voices that go contrary to their perception of morality. The clergy must be told that Kenya is secular state and Kenyans will not accept the kind of quasi-theocracy they are now attempting to create.

The full KNHCR report is available here.

Odhiambo Oyoko
Ag. Executive Co-ordinator
RPP

Release Political Prisoners Trust,
PO Box 4636-00200,
Nairobi.
Tel. 020 – 269 2071/2
0717 – 431 738
Email address: [email][email protected]