No link between food aid, Kenya's LGBTQ stance - Meg Whitman

She said the Americans respected the choice taken by other countries regarding the same.

In Summary
  • Whitman said the US viewed LGBTQ rights as human rights.
  • Whitman said the US democratic values and "the way they feel" is different from Kenya's,
US ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman.
US ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman.
Image: /TWITTER

US Ambassador Meg Whitman has said there is no linkage between the food relief provided by her government and Kenya's stand on LGBTQ.

Speaking on Friday, Whitman said the US viewed LGBTQ rights as human rights.

She, however, said the Americans respected the choice taken by other countries regarding the same. 

Whitman said the US democratic values and "the way they feel" is different from Kenya's, reiterating that this did not affect the strong working relationship between the two governments.

"The Kenyan government knows the US perspective but we also respect their views on LGBTQ rights. There is absolutely no linkage between food and drought relief and Kenyan's stance on LGBTQ," Whitman said.

Her remarks come at a time when top governmental officials have condemned the Supreme Court ruling that allowed LGBTQ members to register an NGO in Kenya.

President William Ruto on Thursday said Kenya had values that ought to be respected.

"We respect the court but I will not allow it in Kenya. We have our culture and traditions, we respect our constitution and all our religions," he said.

On Wednesday, the members of the Catholic MPs' Spiritual Initiative, said LGBTQ was ungodly, immoral and against the African culture.

The initiative's chairperson Innocent Obiri said the movement must not be imposed on Kenyans in exchange for aid.

"We have many pressing challenges affecting the country such as drought, hunger, poor infrastructure and somebody chooses to fund LGBTQ," he said.

"The support for the LGBTQ is now linked to foreign aid, you are denied funding if you oppose LGBTQ."

Kenya on Tuesday received Sh16 billion from the US Agency for International Development for food aid.

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