**Kenya Must Protect and Uphold the Constitutional Rights of ALL its

Citizens Including** Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Gender Non-Binary Persons

The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, The Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western LGBTQ Network, The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and LGBTQ+ partners, friends and allies, with great distress acknowledge the judgement by the High Court of Kenya on the consolidated petitions 150 and 234 of 2016 challenging the constitutionality of sections 162 a) and c) and 165 of the Penal Code of Kenya.

On 24th May 2019, the High Court in Milimani, Nairobi declared the existence of these sections of the law valid and in no way a violation of the rights guaranteed to all Kenyans in the Constitution of Kenya 2010. This ruling in effect, justifies the stigma, discrimination and violence meted against Kenyans who identify or are perceived to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Non-Binary or Queer (LGBTQ).

This judgement is a direct contravention of The Bill of Rights in Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which recognises and affirms every Kenyan’s inherent right to life, right to privacy, right to human dignity, right to equality and freedom from all forms of discrimination including sex and sexual orientation, right to freedom and security of the person, freedom of expression, freedom of association, access to justice among others.

The case made NO reference to legalizing gay marriage in Kenya as Article 45 (2) of the Constitution 2010 recognises marriage between man and woman. The case also made NO reference to promoting a culture of rape, sexual violence, sexual conduct in public or sexual conduct with minors as these acts are provided for under the Sexual Offenses Act 2006.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Non-Binary or Queer (LGBTQ+) persons, like any other Kenyan, have the right to live free from violence and discrimination. We urge the Government to take immediate and deliberate steps to protect and uphold the rights of ALL LGBTQ+ persons by repealing sections 162 (a) and (c) and 165 of the Penal Code of Kenya and introducing legislation that prohibits discrimination on ALL grounds including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Kauli ya Uamuzi wa Mahakamu Kuu Ya Kenya Kuhusu kesi 150 na 234 ya 2016

Ni kwa mioyo mizito na hofu; mashirika ya kijamii yanayotetea haki za kibinadamu za mashoga na wasagaji, marafiki na washiriki wakubali hukumu iliyotolewa dhidi ya kurekebisha kikatiba sehemu ya 162 a) na c) na 165 za Kanuni ya Adhabu ya Kenya.

Tarehe hii ya leo itaingia kwenye kumbukumbu kama siku ambayo mahakama kuu ya Kenya ilikiuka wajibu wake wa kuhakikisha wakenya wote wamezingatiwa katika sura ya nne ya katiba ya Kenya 2010.

Ni muhimu kisisitiza kwamba, kesi hii haikuwa ya kuhalalisha ndoa kati ya watu wa jinsia moja, ila ilikuwa iwe kigezo cha kuwadhamini mashoga na wasagaji haki zao za kiasilia kama wakenya wengine wote. Ifahamike ya kwamba, ipo sheria ya makosa ya kingono ya 2006.

Wakenya wote wana haki ya kikatiba ya kuishi huru kutokana na dhuluma, unyanyasaji na ubaguzi. Ombi letu kwa serikali ya Kenya ni utunzi wa sheria inayozuia ubaguzi kwa sababu yoyote na itafakari wazo la kufutilia mbali sehemu 162 a) na c) na 165 za Kanuni ya Adhabu ya Kenya.