A catholic cleric in Bomet County has welcomed the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in Kenya the right to form lobby groups.
Reverend Father Ambrose Kimutai of Tegat Parish, Diocese of Kericho in Bomet County differed with the position of Catholic church leaders, saying LGBTQ groups have rights to freedom and association.
“Sijaenda kinyume na kanisa kwa sababu walienda kortini kuuliza kufanya associations. Na korti iliona kuwa sheria ya Kenya, haiwezi kuzuia watu fulani kutofanya associations, bora haipingi katiba ya Kenya,” he argued.
Fr Kimutai noted that the LGBTQ community did not go to court seeking to decriminalize homosexuality and same-sex marriages.
“Hawakuenda kortini kwa sababu walitaka kuoa, ama kuoana, walienda kortini ya kwamba walitaka kufanya association yao na nikwa vile hio board ya NGO walikataa kuwaregister.”
The clergyman said despite other religious groups opposing the Supreme court ruling, there should be respect and love for homosexual and lesbian persons in society as taught in the Bible.
Father Ambrose Kimutai also called on religious leaders to focus their energies on guiding families on moral values.
“Hakuna mahali katiba imepinga association ya homosexuals…kwa nini nipinge mambo ya watu sijui wanafanya nini, hio ni kazi yao na korti ndio imeamua. Tunaenda kuchungulia mambo ya homosexuals ya nini? Tupambane na kazi yetu ya kuchunga familia, kazi yetu ni kufundisha watu,” he added.
