United States says it will stand with LGBTQ persons in Kenya.
US Ambassador Meg Whitman said America will stand with the LGBTQ community in Kenya.
In a statement on his Twitter account on Tuesday, Whitman revealed that in the past week she has been meeting with the LGBTQI+ community and its stakeholders.
“Over the past week, my team and I have been meeting with the LGBTQI+ community and stakeholders to support LGBTQI+ human rights,” she said.
“The United States is proud to continue efforts to protect LGBTQI+ people from discrimination and harassment and will continue to advocate for human rights and equality.”
The community has been the target of counter-attacks since the Supreme Court issued a ruling allowing the rights group to be legally registered.
“It would be unconstitutional to limit the right to association by refusing to register an association based on the sexual orientation of the applicants,” the court ruled.
Since the controversial decision, the country has been divided over opinion as LGBTQ rights groups warned members of the community to stay safe amid fears for their physical safety.
The debate witnessed government and opposition leaders stand up; condemning LGBTQ relations in the country.
On March 2, President William Ruto declared that the country has values that must be respected.
“We respect the court but I will not allow it in Kenya. We have our culture and traditions, we respect our constitution and all our religions,” he said.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has said that there is no room for same-sex marriages in Kenya citing Article 45(2) of the 2010 Constitution.
“Every adult has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex, based on the consent of the parties.”
Parents and religious leaders have also taken notice, challenging the Apex court’s decision.
The United States views LGBTQ rights as human rights.
Speaking earlier on March 3, Whitman said the working relationship between the two countries would not be affected by their differing views on the issue.
