Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi Declares Kenya's Stand on LGBTQ Legalisation

Dorcas Rigathi
Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi addressing people at an event.
KBC

Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi on Sunday issued a bold statement pronouncing Kenya's stance on LGBTQ+ relations.

In a statement sent to Kenyans.co.ke, the second lady firmly maintained the position Kenya will not legalize same-sex relations; now or in the future.

Speaking at an orientation forum for first-year students at the Maasai Mara University in Narok County, Pastor Dorcas referred to African traditions and beliefs which she observed prohibit same-sex relationships.

''In this country, it is not lawful for a man to marry a man. It is not lawful for a woman to marry a woman. It is illegal, “she said.

Pastor Dorcas Rigathi speaks at a teachers' conference at Chania Girls High School in Thika on Friday, January 20, 2023
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi speaks at a teachers' conference at Chania Girls High School in Thika on Friday, January 20, 2023
DPPS

The second lady emphasised that even the Kenyan constitution does not allow same sex marriage as that has been the country's stand.

''When a man marries a man, what do they produce? and when a woman marries a woman, what do they produce? I think we must go by the divine order, when the divine order is obeyed, is only that a community and a society can thrive,'' she added.

She further observed that no religion in the world allows same-sex marriages; which she cited as one of the main reasons Kenya will not allow same sex relations.

“Africa is not ready for that, we have our culture, we have our own religion. I think it is time we come out and speak,'' she added.

Pastor Dorcas' remarks come weeks after the Supreme Court threw out Homabay Town MP Peter Kaluma's petition that sought to bar LGBTQ societies and organizations from being recognised in Kenya.

"The Court found and decreed that the use of the word “sex” under Article 27(4) of the Constitution ‘refers also to sexual orientation of any gender.''

''Whether heterosexual, lesbian, gay, intersex or otherwise’; and that the word “including” under Article 27 (4) also comprises “freedom from discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation,” read the court judgment in parts.

Debates on discrimination of same-sex relationships and marriage have been met with strong opposition, especially from Kenyan politicians.

The latest politician to stage opposition to same sex marriages is Nyali MP Mohamed Ali who led anti-LGBTQ protests in Nairobi on October 6.

File photo of Supreme Court of Kenya facade in Nairobi
The front view of the Supreme Court of Kenya building in Nairobi.
Photo
Supreme Court
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