National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has joined leaders and institutions in rebuking the Supreme Court over its ruling on the freedom of association for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community.
In its ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court said that the decision to deny LGBTQ members their right to register as an NGO, despite homosexuality being illegal in the nation, was discriminatory.
This followed a ruling made in 2013 by lower courts to deny members of the community in Kenya to register a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for the advancement of their rights.
Taking to social media on Monday, Speaker Wetangula said that the ruling opens ground for “unintended and unhelpful consequences”, claiming it will wreck cultural norms in the nation.
Condemning the ruling, Wetangula said that Kenya is “deeply religious” and highly disregards the ruling.
“Each Individual and/or Public institution, including the judiciary, has a duty to uphold, defend and protect public morals!!” he wrote on Twitter.
Clerics have also condemned the Supreme Court ruling including CITAM presiding bishop Calisto Odede who questioned whether other illegal practitioners should also be granted their freedom of association.
Archbishop Arthur Kitonga from the Redeemed Gospel Church of Kenya said that the groups should not even be allowed in Kenya.
