- Nyali MP Mohamed Ali has brought a motion seeking to outlaw public debate on same-sex marriages.
- MPs were united in pushing for tough penalties on those practising same-sex marriages.
Image: File
The National Assembly now wants proponents and those practising same sex-relationships punished severely.
MPs on Wednesday backed a motion by Nyali MP Mohamed Ali which seeks to prohibit public debate on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer.
Contributing during the debate, MPs called for tough laws that will ensure that those propagating and practising LGBTQIA will be punished.
National Assembly deputy Majority Leader and Kilifi North MP Owen Baya called for a law that will provide for stiffer penalties.
This even as he cautioned against the push saying it would amount to double legislation as the constitution is clear against LGBTQIA.
“I would be better that the honourable member proposed changes to the Penal Code to stipulate stiffer penalties for those engaged in same-sex relations since this matter is already provided for,” he said.
Ali has proposed a ban on speaking, publishing and disseminating information on LGBTQIA.
Citing Article 33 of the Constitution, Baya noted while homosexuality is against family values enshrined in law, said the constitution has already outlawed same-sex relationships.
“Let us not engage in an exercise that has already been provided for in the law, the constitution has already outlawed that, we cannot come here to purport to limit freedom of expression,” he said.
But Nakuru East MP David Gikaria said the motion before the floor of the House is seeking to punish those who will be propagating LGBTQIA values in society.
“The motion is about providing for tough sentences for those who are practising the same sex-relationships,” Gikaria said on a point of order.
Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai backed the motion saying stiffer penalties should be set on those circulating information in support of LGBTQIA and those practising the same.
“These are threatening acts that must not be allowed in society,” she said faulting the Supreme Court's decision on recognition of LGBTQIA rights.
“Those who are practising these things start regretting their actions, the debate is gathering steam in villages and are debating this issue because it is being talked about a lot...let us say no.”
Luanda MP condemned the dissemination of information on LGBTQIA saying like thw way God destroyed the Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah over immorality, the county should not allow the same in the country.
“Let us say no to LGBTQIA in this country that is God-fearing, this debate should not be allowed among the country's population,” he said.
Malindi MP Amina Laura backed the motion saying the country's values, culture and traditions frown upon same sex relationships.
“ We are saying it is a no go zone. We are a God-fearing country, we say no to LGBTQ,” she said when making contribution to the motion.
Ali will now draft a bill that will brought to the House as MPs kick off a push to anchor their views in law .
Article 33 (2) reads that: The right to freedom of expression does not extend to — (a) propaganda for war; (b) incitement to violence; (c) hate speech; or (d) advocacy of hatred.”
It goes on to elaborate advocacy of hatred as one constituting “ethnic incitement, vilification of others or incitement to cause harm.”