US envoy to ‘stand up’ for LGBTQ rights in Kenya

The US ambassador to Kenya has held a meeting with the LGBT community in the country to show support amid hardening attitudes against the group.

“The US proudly advances efforts to protect LGBTQI+ persons from discrimination and violence and will continue to stand up for human rights and equality, ” Ambassador Meg Whitman posted on Twitter on Wednesday.

This was a stronger stance than her previous statement in which she said the US would “respect” Kenya’s view on gay rights although it differed from her country’s.

Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya. The Supreme Court last month upheld the gay community’s right to register an association, but the decision has sparked a fresh wave of resentment against homosexuality.

Education officials have initiated a campaign to address the perceived infiltration of LGBT advocacy in schools, while the First Lady, Rachel Ruto, has declared homosexuality a threat to the family.

A local MP is pushing a bill to increase the maximum punishment for homosexuality to life in prison.