The Atheists in Kenya Society has condemned a proposal by Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma to introduce a bill that will prohibit homosexuality and its promotion in the country.
In a letter to Kaluma on Friday, February 24, 2023, the society’s President Harrison Mumia termed the legislator’s attitude, feelings and beliefs towards the gay community as “unacceptable and disgraceful”.
Mumia faulted the legislator for his stance, saying as a lawyer and a legislator, atheists expect him to promote human rights and not repress persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+).
“What you are doing is fueling the repression of a marginalized community in Kenya. You hold very fixed ideas about how society should be structured. We expect you to be a promoter of gender diversity with respect to sexual orientation,” Mumia said.
Atheists to oppose anti-gay law
The society has vowed to oppose the MP’s bill in parliament and in courts.
Earlier, Kaluma said he had written to the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula informing him about his intention to table the bill.
In his letter, the ODM MP stated that he intends to bring legislation that will criminalize and propose punishment for homosexuals and others involved in unnatural sexual acts.
“I intend to bring a legislation to criminalize and punish homosexuality and other unnatural acts and to further criminalize the promotion of such acts,” the letter read in part.
Kaluma stated that his legislation will consolidate all existing laws relating to unnatural sexual acts.
According to the outspoken lawmaker, the proposed law will seek to increase the penalty for those convicted of engaging or promoting homosexuality to imprisonment for life.
“The proposed law intends to further the provisions of article 45(2) of the constitution of Kenya and to protect the family will not only consolidate all existing laws relating to unnatural sexual acts but also increase the penalty for those convicted of engaging or promoting the acts to imprisonment for life or commensurate sentence,” the communique read further.
Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya.
In 2019, the High Court upheld laws criminalising homosexual acts between consenting adults.
