Gays stay away. Lesbians too and the whole lot of you. You are not welcome in the House of the People, otherwise known as Parliament.
MPs on Wednesday rejected use of the National Assembly chambers by an international population conference, saying some topics were "suspect".
The lawmakers claimed they cannot provide a platform for the advancement of homosexuality and lesbianism 'that are unacceptable in the country'.
The three-day conference organised by both the Kenyan and Danish governments in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Center next week.
The organisers had requested leaders of the National Assembly to co-host the event at the chambers. It will be attended by heads of state and MPs from other countries.
This is where 349 MPs have been sworn in using scriptures of both the Koran and the Bible. Any other thing can be discussed but not lesbianism and homosexuality. They can deny me visas if they like. I am a conservative Muslim.
The lawmakers claimed they had 'intelligence' that the event was meant to push for recognition of gays, homosexuals and lesbians.
Led by Majority leader Aden Duale and his Minority counterpart John Mbadi, they were unanimous that they will not allow the House chambers to be used to propagate "Western behaviours that contradict the country’s tradition and religion"
“This is the chamber where 349 MPs have been sworn in using the scriptures of both the Koran and the Bible. Any other thing can be discussed but not lesbianism and homosexuality. They can deny me visa if they like. I am a conservative Muslim,” Duale said.
“I decline to move this motion. I will report back the reason next week on Tuesday. The only people allowed in our chambers are MPs from the East African community.”
Mbadi too refused to move the motion saying the conference is suspect and does not resonate with members and Kenyans at large.
“It is coming out clearly that these people are coming to discuss what we do not agree with as a country," he said.
Pleas by Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda —who is part of the organising team —to clarify that only visiting MPs from other countries will be hosted in the chambers, fell on the deaf ears as charged lawmakers demanded that the House withdraws from hosting the team.
“The people who are coming here (chambers) are MPs of other countries, it will not be a venue for everyone attending the conference,” Ochanda sought to explain, in vain.
The situation got worse after it emerged that Nominated MP Jennifer Shamala's application to take part in the conference was turned down by the organisers.
MPs Muturi Kigano (Kangema), Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Makali Mulu (Kitui Central) and Godfrey Osotsi (Nominated) said hosting the group in Parliament will soil the integrity and reputation of the House.
“The moment you allow this, you are going to open the floodgates," Kigano said.
Speaker Justin Muturi threw out the request.
“The motion has no mover, therefore, it is dropped,” Muturi ruled.
Kenya criminalises homosexual acts, including those between consenting adults in privacy.
Edited by R.Wamochie
