Kenya respects US stance on gays, says State House

Kenya respects the position taken by the US Government on gays following a ruling by the country’s Supreme Court that same-sex unions will be recognised, State House has said.

State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu on Sunday said Kenya “cannot tell President Barack Obama what he will and will not say” because the government believes in the freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution.

President Obama is expected to visit Kenya later this month for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. This will be the first such visit by a sitting US President since independence.

This will be President Obama’s fourth trip to sub-Saharan Africa during his presidency.

“I cannot tell you whether President Obama will travel outside Nairobi since the programme on his visit has not been released,” Mr Esipisu said in a press briefing on Sunday.

Mr Esipisu said there would be traffic interruptions in the city to pave the way for the American leader’s motorcade.

According to Mr Esipisu, at least 1,500 investors from all over the world, of which 250 are Kenyans, are expected to participate in the summit.

He said the meeting, which would link up investors with enterprises, would help in the creation of jobs.

“The summit will result in bilateral agreements that have the potential to scale-up entrepreneurship in Kenya, more so in the technology and financial service sectors. It will also boost small-scale businesses, especially those run by the youth,” he said.

RESPECT CULTURE

It is also not clear whether President Obama will meet Deputy President William Ruto due to his ongoing case at the International Criminal Court.

When Secretary of State John Kerry visited Kenya a few months ago, he did not meet Mr Ruto.

On Sundat, Mr Ruto insisted that Kenya would not tolerate gay practices, saying they are unchristian.

At the same time, Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau urged President Obama to respect Kenyans’ culture, saying they would not abandon their traditions that condemn same-sex marriages.

He urged the US leader to avoid forcing the gay agenda on Kenyans or lobby for the rights of homosexuals when he arrives in the country.

“Kenyans are not ready to accept homosexuality and any attempt to push for its recognition. Any agenda on the matter would strain ties between the two nations, so I urge our brother to avoid the topic,” said the lawmaker.

He said since Kenya is a God-fearing country, there would never come a time when the citizens would accept homosexuality.