By Enyichukwu Enemanna
US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman says her country will stand with the LGBTQ community amidst blasts following the Supreme Court ruling which allows the legal registration of the rights group.
Since the ruling of the court, the country has been divided on opinion as LGBTQ rights groups have warned members of the community to stay safe, fearing for their physical safety.
In a statement on her Twitter handle on Tuesday, Whitman revealed that in the past week, she met with the LGBTQI+ community and its stakeholders.
“Over the past week my team and I met with the LGBTQI+ community and stakeholders to support the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons,” she said.
“The U.S. proudly advances efforts to protect LGBTQI+ persons from discrimination and violence and will continue to stand up for human rights and equality.”
The court had ruled, “It would be unconstitutional to limit the right to associate through denial of registration of an association purely on the basis of the sexual orientation of the applicants”.
On March 2, President William Ruto said the country had values that ought to 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.
The first lady, Rachel Ruto had also declared a nationwide prayer against same-sex relations.
The country’s Vice President, Rigathi Gachagua had recently stated that the practice of LGBT, will not be condoned in the country, a statement that attracted criticism from those who advocate for LGBT rights and acceptance.
In January, body of a 25-year-old gay activist, Edwin Chiloba, was found on the side of the road in the western Rift Valley.
Speaking earlier on March 3, Whitman said the working relationship between the two countries was not going to be affected by their different views on the subject.
