Netherlands Ambassador to Kenya Frans Makken was on Friday forced to delete a tweet after receiving backlash from Kenyans.
Makken had posted a tweet expressing solidarity with the gay community after the High court declined to legalize homosexuality in Kenya.
“Very disappointing: High Court of Kenya declines to repeal the 162 section of the penal code which criminalizes same-sex conduct as this section is not deemed unconstitutional,” the envoy's tweet read.
Kenyans who were celebrating the decision immediately bashed him claiming that homosexuality was still a ‘foreign idea’ in Kenya.
“To the LGBT community, you can appeal the decision to the Court of appeal and up to the Supreme. While at it, please accept the fact that homosexuality is a foreign concept in Kenya that might take eons to become morally acceptable,” a tweep, Kimberly Sang posted.
“#Repeal162 is Full of foreigners. There are no actual Gays and Lesbians in Kenya because it's un-Kenyan. This is a foreign campaign in our country. The few gathering momentum here are a result of peer pressure. I have been there before so I can state with confidence,” another tweep, Nduta commented.
In 2016, three Kenyan gay rights organisations had filed a case in the High Court asking judges to declare sections 162 (a) and (c) and section 165 of the Penal Code unconstitutional.
In their suit, the petitioners wanted the court to declare the sections unconstitutional while claiming that they lead to discrimination against them.
But a three judge-bench of Justices Chacha Mwita, John Mativo, and Roselyne Aburili dismissed the case, stating that cultural values needed to be respected.
“Acknowledging cohabitation among people of the same sex (where they would ostensibly be able to have same-sex intercourse) would indirectly open the door for unions (marriages) of people of the same sex,” Justice Aburili stated while reading the unanimous judgment.
But as soon as the judgment was read, the petitioners walked out dejected, some shading tears openly.
