Kenya: New ‘stone the gays’ law proposed by MPs
A new anti-gay bill that would see gay people sentenced to death by stoning is under discussion in Kenya.
A new Anti-Homosexuality Bill has been submitted by the Republican Liberty Party in the National Assembly.
It would introduce harsh punishments for homosexuality, with life imprisonment or the death penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality’.
The bill’s author, Edward Onwong’a Nyakeriga, said: “The petition aims at providing a comprehensive and enhanced legislation to protect the cherished culture of the people of Kenya, legal, religious and traditional family values against the attempts of sexual rights activists seeking to impose their values of sexual promiscuity on the people of Kenya.
“There is need to protect children and youth who are vulnerable to sexual abuse and deviation as a result of cultural changes, uncensored information technology, parentless child developmental settings and increasing attempts by homosexuals to raise children in homosexual relationships through adoption, foster care or otherwise.”
The draft bill also introduces life sentences for anyone running ‘brothels for homosexuality purposes’, which could be used to target anyone who lives with a gay person.
The president of Kenya earlier this year signed a law legalising heterosexual polygamy.
Kenya’s current penal code states: “Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, is guilty of a felony.”
