Kenya: LGBTQ ruling angers political leaders as gays & lesbians live in fear

By Jeff Otieno

Posted on Wednesday, 15 March 2023 11:55
An LGBT activist walks past anti-gay rights protesters holding placards outside the Milimani high Court in Nairobi, Kenya in 2019. (REUTERS/Baz Ratner)

The backlash arising from a Supreme Court ruling granting gays and lesbians the right to associate has raised fears of increased homophobia in Kenya.

When the Supreme Court ruled on 24 February that gays and lesbians have a right to register an LGBTQ rights organisation, after a drawn-out court battle that lasted for a decade, many of them could not hold back their joy.

“This is a major victory not only for the LGBTQ community in Kenya, but also for the protection of human rights in the country,” said one of the members on condition of anonymity.