The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the right of association for the LGBTQ community was met with protests from hundreds of Muslims in Kenya’s capital on Friday, alleging that the judgement encouraged immoral behavior and calling for the resignation of some justices.
Following Friday prayers, protesters in Nairobi held posters calling the ruling the work of “Neo Colonialists” and calling on three of the five judges who concurred with the panel’s majority judgement to “Repent and Resign.” There were also some conservative Christians present.
Last month, the court upheld a previous decision that the Kenyan Non-Governmental Organization Board had discriminated against LGBTQ individuals by refusing to register their organization.
The two judges who dissented from the decision said that same-sex relationships are illegal under Kenyan law.
According to lawmaker Mohamed Ali, the court should respect the fact that Kenya is a religious nation.
“Islam and Christianity are against gayism,” he said. “Our country’s constitution doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages. Three people in a court should not go against the societal values.”
Following the verdict, President William Ruto had stated that while he appreciated the court’s decision, the country’s culture and religion forbade same-sex unions.
Homophobic individuals frequently target the LGBTQ population in Kenya, especially through verbal and physical harassment.
Uganda, Kenya’s neighbour, passed an anti-LGBTQ law in May that includes the death penalty for those found guilty of aggravated homosexuality, which is defined as situations of same-sex relationships involving minors and other vulnerable groups of people or when the offender is HIV-positive.
A similar draconian measure proposed by Kenyan legislator Peter Kaluma is being evaluation before being sent to the House for discussion.
