Kisumu county assembly unanimously passed a new county law that will see members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual and Intersexed (LGBTI) denied key services within the county.
Being the first county in Kenya to institute the law, the House agreed to withdraw licences and business permits for the organisations that promote gay practices.
Media reports from within the county reported a rise in the number of homosexual individuals in Kisumu to 3,500 in March with most taking to commercial sex work.
A number of clinics had also sprung up to cater to the needs of the members of the LGBTI community in the county.
[caption caption="File image of LGBTI activists "]
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An investigative report by The Standard indicated that one such clinic along Tom Mboya street had served 2,113 individuals aged between 18 and 35 years.
The clinic was said to cater exclusively for gay people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and is run by a non-governmental organisation.
The Members of County Assembly (MCAs) agreed to have such facilities closed down as they argued that they encouraged the practice.
The motion was sponsored by Railways Ward Representative Davi Arao who described homosexuality as a rapidly growing reality in the county.
"Same-sex relationships must not be allowed in this great county of Kisumu. Homosexuality is largely considered a taboo and repugnant to our cultural values and morality.
"Homosexuality and lesbianism are on the rise in Kisumu County and as leaders, we must not bury our heads in the sand," he argued.
[caption caption="File image of Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o during past protests"]
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