Reverend Father Ambrose Kimutai of Tegat Parish, Diocese of Kericho in Bomet County, has disagreed with the Catholic church's leadership on the Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ and intersex rights groups.
Earlier last week, the supreme court ruled that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community have the right to association, saying that the lower court's decision to deny members of Kenya's gay community the right to register as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) was discriminatory.
Father Ambrose says that LGBTQ groups should be granted the right to freedom of expression and association as long as they do not violate the law.
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“Sijaenda kinyume na kanisa kwa sababu walienda kortini kuuliza kufanya associations. Na korti iliona kuwa sheria ya Kenya, haiwezi kuzuia watu fulani kutofanya associations, bora haipingi katiba ya Kenya,” father Ambrose said.
"Hawakuenda kortini kwa sababu walitaka kuoa, ama kuoana, walienda kortini ya kwamba walitaka kufanya association yao na nikwa vile hio board ya NGO walikataa kuwaregister." he added
opposing the narrative put out by his fellow clerics who have protested against the supreme court's decision, father ambrose stated that homosexual and lesbian people should be treated with respect and love in society, as taught in the Bible. The cleric urged religious leaders to focus their efforts and teaching on instilling moral values in their children.
“Hakuna mahali katiba imepinga association ya homosexuals…kwa nini nipinge mambo ya watu sijui wanafanya nini, hio ni kazi yao na korti ndio imeamua. Tunaenda kuchungulia mambo ya homosexuals ya nini? Tupambane na kazi yetu ya kuchunga familia, kazi yetu ni kufundisha watu,” he noted.
Political leaders have called for harsh sentences for those who practice homosexuality. homabay town mp peter kaluma is set to table a bill in parliament that will impose a life sentence for individuals found engaging in homosexual behaviour and other odd sexual acts.
Kaluma's letter to the speaker of the national assembly, the lawmaker stated that the proposed law aimed to further the provisions of Article 45 (2) of the Kenyan Constitution and protect the family.
