Kenya’s highest court has affirmed the right of the National Gay & Lesbians Human Rights Commission to register as an NGO, upholding the country’s constitution and setting a precedent for the protection of LGBTQI rights.
The decision was made on Thursday last week, after a long legal battle between the LGBTQI community and conservative groups in the country.
The court’s ruling was based on the Constitution’s guarantees of freedom of association under Article 36 and the promotion of national values under Article 10.
The court stated that the Constitution recognizes and protects the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, and that denying the LGBTQI community the right to register as an NGO would be a violation of their rights.
While the decision has been hailed as a victory for LGBTQI rights in Kenya, not everyone is pleased with the ruling.
Reuben Kigame, a prominent politician who was eyeing the presidential seat in 2022 but wasn’t cleared by IEBC, has voiced his opposition to the decision.
Kigame took to Twitter to express his views on the matter, stating that “in a democratic nation like Kenya, public opinion is critical.
The majority of Kenyans do not want LGBTQI legalized. It is an assault on the sanctity of the family, our identity and values.”
In a democratic nation like Kenya, public opinion is critical. The majority of Kenyans do not want LGBTQI legalized. It is an assault on the sanctity of the family, our identity and values.
— Reuben Kigame HSC (@ReubenKigame) February 26, 2023
