Kenya’s Prime Minster, Raila Odinga threatened a crackdown on homosexuals. This past sunday Odinga warned that men or women found in homosexual acts would be arrested. He claims later that he was referring to to ban on same sex marriages. The new ban was passed in august. David Kuria from the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya told BBC that Odinga’s comments would encourage people to extort money from gay and lesbian people. Currently homosexual acts are illegal in Kenya and could land someone in jail for up to 14 years. ”We will not tolerate such behavior in the country. The constitution is very clear on this issue and men or women found engaging in homosexuality will not be spared” said Odinga.
Odinga seems to be dealing with homosexuality in an extreme harshness. It also seems that this may cause even more sexism in Africa much like extreme racism existed in the US. Increasing hostility toward one another-especially singling one out- is never good news for any country according to the history books. While one may understand protecting marriage as a sacrament between a man and women. It is completely inhumane to not treat homosexuals with compassion and understanding.
