Kenya Human Rights Commission executive director, Davis Malobe, wrote a letter to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on the planned anti-gay protests.
A human rights lobby claims that an anti-gay organization in Mombasa has joined hands with the al-Shabaab to attack the LGBTQI people in Mombasa. Malobe mentioned that the group has planned an anti-gay protest on September 15 in Mombasa.
He, however, did not mention who the leaders of the group were but stated that the protests were likely to be violent. According to him, the protests would cause a surge of hatred, prejudice, and instigation within the country. Consequently, this would affect the safety of people with alternate gender and sexual orientation.
“An amorphous group based in Mombasa dubbed the ‘Anti-LGBTQ Movement’ leads the onslaught with horrifying messaging that incites violence against LGBTQI+ person,” read the letter sent to the NCIC’s chairman, Dr Samuel Kobia.
Furthermore, he mentioned in the letter that the movement has hinted at allying with the extremist group al Shabaab. The lobby stated that the actions being planned in September would send the county and even the country into a state of violence and turmoil.
Dr. Kobia, however, has yet to respond to the letter that was addressed to him in the NCIC. He is equally yet to mention whether the investigations were being held or not.
“For many LGBT people in the coast region, safety is a daily concern,” Esther Adhiambo, executive director of PEMA Kenya stated.
Rights and Freedoms of LGBTQ+ People
The human rights lobby group further stated that the freedom of association and the right to life for LGBTQI+ people was at stake and required immediate intervention and investigation. Rights such as human dignity, equality, freedom from discrimination on trial, protection against incitement to violence, and hate speech under assault would directly be affected if the matter is not dealt with.
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“This is not a matter of differing opinions, it is about preventing violence and safeguarding the lives of vulnerable individuals,” read the letter.
The Judiciary had earlier ruled that every group had the right and freedom of association, inclusive of people in the LGBTQI+ community. They were therefore allowed to register an association directed to protecting the rights and freedoms of those part of the community.
Mombasa County has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+movements with the majority against it and some supporting it.
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