National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula joins LGBTQ debate
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula is the latest in a string of stakeholders to share his views on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) debate.
This follows the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing LGBTQ members an opportunity to meet.
A majority of the apex court’s judges said the refusal by the NGOs Co-ordination Board to register the lobby group would violate human rights based on sexual orientation.
Wetangula has criticized the ruling, saying the court’s pronouncement may lead to unintended and unhelpful consequences.
The Speaker observed that Kenya is a deeply religious nation.
“Kenya is deeply religious. Each Individual and/or Public institution, including the judiciary, has a duty to uphold, defend and protect public morals,” the Speaker said.
Different churches have equally criticized the move, calling on Kenyans of moral integrity to reject, resist and oppose the ruling as it will erode societal norms and morals.
The Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) Presiding Bishop Calisto Odede opposed the ruling that was in favour of the gay movement’s right of association in the country.
Bishop Odede said those struggling with homosexual desires were not significantly different from persons who are heterosexual but also struggle with sexuality in singlehood through non-marriage or widowhood or marital separation in one form or another.
The church said that it will continue to pray and use other acceptable means to preserve the national ethos.
In its divided ruling, the court held that Section 162 of the Penal Code that prohibits “unnatural offences” (defined as having carnal knowledge with any man, woman or animal against the order of nature) are binding, hence, those who will be caught contravening it will face the law.
Three Justices Philomena Mwilu (Deputy Chief Justice), Smokin Wanjala and Njoki Ndung’u ruled in favour of the association, while Justices Mohammed Ibrahim and William Ouko dissented.
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