Disappointment as Kenya court delays decision on anti-gay laws

NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s High Court on Friday, February 22, postponed a much-anticipated ruling on whether to scrap colonial-era laws which criminalize homosexuality, citing a heavy case load.

The delay was met with dismay by Kenya’s LGBT community and their allies, who have been anxiously awaiting a ruling on the petition, which was filed 3 years ago.

“The files are above my height… we are still working,” said Chacha Mwita, one of the judges, who added that one of his colleagues was on leave and that the three-judge bench were juggling multiple cases.

He set the decision for May 24.

“We plan to meet in April if all goes well and see whether we can come up with a decision. You do not appreciate what the judges are going through.”

Gay rights organizations are asking the court to scrap two sections of the penal code that criminalize homosexuality.

One section states that anyone who has “carnal knowledge…against the order of nature” can be imprisoned for 14 years. Another provides for a five-year jail term for “indecent practices between males.”

On social media Kenya’s LGBT community and allies have been anxiously counting down the hours to the ruling.

“To say we are disappointed would be an understatement,” the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Council (NGLHRC), one of the petitioners, wrote on Twitter.

Lawyer and NGLHRC co-founder Eric Gitari said he nevertheless remained optimistic.

“We accepted the apology and give them more time. We have been at this thing since 2016 so 3 more months will not be too much wait,” said NGLHRC co-founder Eric Gitari.

Blazing a trail

Activists believe Kenya has a chance to blaze a trail in Africa where homophobia is virulent in many communities, with similar laws in over half the countries on the continent.

While convictions under the decades-old laws are rare, gay activists say the legislation is unconstitutional and fuels homophobic persecution.

Imani Kimiri of the NGLHRC’s legal team, told Agence France-Presse her office dealt with 15 prosecutions under the laws in 2018, but cannot recall the last conviction – slamming the process as “just a frustrating endeavor.”

The petitioners argue that under Kenya’s 2010 constitution every person is said to be equal before the law – a protection directly contradicted by the disputed sections of the penal code.

Those who are blackmailed, evicted, fired, expelled from school, or assaulted over their sexual orientation, are unable to access justice because it means “confessing to a crime,” said Gitari .

Activists are optimistic of an eventual ruling in their favor, given recent decisions by the court.

In March, the High Court banned forced anal testing of men suspected of being gay.

And in September, a court ruled that “Rafiki” (friend), a film about a lesbian love affair which was the first Kenyan movie to be shown at the Cannes film festival, could be screened domestically for 7 days after its initial banning.

“For the LGTBQ community, a lot of individuals who came here were super excited and anticipating the ruling…because this is a historic and momentous judgement in Kenya,” said Brian Macharia of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK), another petitioner.

“We have every confidence in the judicial system in Kenya to rule in favor of the constitutional rights of all citizens of Kenya regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.” – Rappler.com