Due to the court case filed by the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC), the organization issued an official statement explaining why they see fit to remain closed between 16th and 24th April.
The case challenges and seeks to remove criminal punishment for Kenyan adults who consent to engage in mutual same sex activities with their partners. To therefore avoid any unwarranted attacks and hate crimes, the organization will not be opening for official business as they monitor the security situation.
Kenya is one of the many African countries that continues to criminalise same sex relationships and sexual acts as they are largely considered to be taboo and repugnant to the cultural values and morality in the East African state. Sex acts between men are illegal under Kenyan statutes and carry a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment, except 21 years in certain aggravating circumstances. Sex acts between women are not mentioned specifically in those statutes, although it is arguable that the gender-neutral term person in Section 162 of the Penal Code includes women.
Below are the contents of the public notice ad embedded is the same as released by NGLHRC
REF: TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF OFFICIAL BUSINESS
We will remain closed from 16th -24th of April 2016 after filing a law suit to challenge and remove criminal punishment of Kenyan adults who consent to engage in mutually desired same-sex activities with their partners.
Recent analysis and reports agree that most Kenyan communities and their larger society still largely fear and/or hate people who are known and/or perceived to be gay, or identify with a gender other than the two most socially normal. During this time of closure after filing the decrim law suit, we will be monitoring the security situation whilst helping to keep our team and lawyers and the community from any unprecedented events.
We apologize for any inconveniences caused during these times.
The Administration,
National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, P.O. Box, 52695-00100,
Off State House Road, Nairobi-Kenya.
Tel: 0204400525 I Mail: nglhrc@gmail.com
