Kenyan Court Upholds Law Making Gay Sex Illegal
In a blow to the LGBTQI movement in Africa, Kenya High Courts upholds law that will punish anyone for having gay sex.
Friday’s ruling comes after a three-year fight led by Kenyan civil rights attorneys and LGBT activists who wanted the court to abolish two colonial-era penal codes that described gay sex as “against the order of nature,” a felony that could result in up to 14 years in prison.
Today’s decision was initially meant to be handed down in February, but it was delayed because not all the presiding judges were present.
“It’s not a good feeling but there’s nothing we can do. We have to respect the court and respect their decision, inasmuch as we feel it’s not fair,” said Gatura Gatura, a law student who has volunteered with the NGLHRC and was present for the court’s decision.
The NGLHRC, the main petitioner in the case, confirmed it would lodge an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
