Different organisations and human rights activists in Nakuru have appealed to President William Ruto to protect marginalised members of the family from harmful laws and policies.
They described the diverse nature of Kenyan families and condemned attempts by a section of Kenyan MPs to hijack and weaponise the family unit for their personal agendas against persons they disapprove of.
The organisations were particularly against The Family Protection Bill by Homa Bay MP, Peter Kaluma which seeks to criminalise homosexuality, same-sex marriages and LGBTQ behaviour.
The Bill also seeks to prohibit children's adoption by homosexuals and defines sex as the biological state of being male or female observed and assigned at birth.
Speaking after a breakfast meeting to mark the International Day of Families in Nakuru, Reproductive Health Champions Organisation (Rhco) Executive Director, Martin Lunalo said the group would not allow the likes of Kaluma to discriminate against a section of Kenyans.
“Family means more than just sexuality and sexual orientation,” said Lunalo who was accompanied by officials from Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network (Kelin).
He urged President Ruto through the relevant government agencies to implement the many laws that were enacted to protect the rights of family members.
“Kenyan families are blended, nuclear, extended, monogamous, polygamous poor and wealthy, some are single parented while others have members who are gay, lesbians, transgender bisexual and intersex and they all have to be respected and protected,” he said.
Lunalo called on the government to celebrate the rich diversity of African families and cultures without discrimination.
“The current obsession with defining the family as one man, one woman and 2.5 children is an upfront against the families we grew up in, where our cousins were our siblings and our uncles and aunts were our fathers and mothers,” he said.
He called on Kenyans to stand for unity in the diversity of the more than 24 ethnic communities that represent more than 42 variations of what it means to be a member of a family.
Lunalo said it was wrong to elevate certain cultures and demonise others.
