On Feb 22,2019 a ruling was postponed at the Milimani High Court on repeal 162 whereby Kenya’s LGBT Community seek to have two sections of the Penal Code that Criminalise Homosexuality scrapped off.
Kenya’s High Court was asked to find sections 162 and 165 of the penal code, which punish “carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature” and “indecent practices between males” with 14 years and five years in prison, respectively, to violate constitutional rights to equality, nondiscrimination, human dignity, security, privacy, and health.
In former judgement, the judges said they had been unable to finish working through the many pages of submissions from both sides, with one judge, Chacha Mwita, telling the packed-to-the-brim courtroom, “The files are above my height. … We are still working.”
Well today the court is set to make the ruling and many are anticipating to hear the judges final words.
Ugandans belonging to the sexual minorities have come out strongly to stand with the Kenyan LGBTIQ community as they wait for the repeal 162 court ruling
Ugandans have today come out to strongly stand with the Kenyan LGBTIQ community as we wait for the #Repeal162 court ruling. Brave young HRDs have shared their messages of support. @frankmugisha @Opimva @NGLHRC @Galck_ke @njerigateru @YveeAntidote @UHAIEASHRI @hivosroea @Phyllees
— Sexual Minorities Uganda | SMUG (@SMUG2004) May 24, 2019
Brave young HRDs have shared their messages of support:
“Opportunities like this one are a chance for us to choose humanity, to choose love, to choose diversity and to choose dignity. To our Kenyan family, thank you. We wish you good fortune. May the odds be in your favor, and may love win!,” said Joaninne.
“Love is so powerful because it sees all people but this power would mean nothing if we deny it to others. Love is love, lets share it”.
“Same sex love doesn’t affect you in any way so there is no need to interfere in who I love,”-Elvis.
Will the High Court in Kenya sieze the moment to issue a landmark decision?
Ruling on #Repeal162 case challenging colonial-era law that criminalizes gay sex is expected today at 2:30 pm.
Follow our partner @Galck_ke for regular updates. In solidarity! ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/dIx3o2eFhp
— Chapter Four Uganda (@chapter4uganda) May 24, 2019
We are who we are and there's nothing that can change it. I hope the court rules in our favor. I stand in solidarity with people who are like me in Kenya.-Hannington #Repeal162 pic.twitter.com/RzIyqdseXC
— Sexual Minorities Uganda | SMUG (@SMUG2004) May 24, 2019
Do you think the court will rule in their favour?
The Lesbian and Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community can now go ahead and register their association as a rights group.
This is after the Court of Appeal affirmed the High Court decision that directed the Non-Governmental Organisations Coordination Board to register the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) as an NGO.
Speaking after the ruling, Njeru Gateru the Executive Director of National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) had this to say:
“The judges have chosen to stand by the constitution that allows for like-minded persons to meet and organise formally. That is a freedom enshrined in the constitution and the fact that the Court of Appeal agrees with us and allows us to register as an organisation is not only a win for us as an organization, but a win for human rights.