Lobby groups want Kenya-US trade deal halted over anti-gay bill

Amid the ongoing Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) talks between Kenya and the United States of America, 49 US lobby groups have come out to ask the US government to halt the negotiations until Kenya revokes any anti-gay laws in the country. 

The Family Protection Bill proposed by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma seeks to criminalize homosexuality, same-sex marriages, and LGBTQ behaviours.

If passed, the bill will criminalise the promotion, recruitment, and funding of homosexuality and LGBTQ.

In a letter addressed to United States Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, who's currently in Kenya for the STIP negotiations, the lobby groups call on the Biden administration to halt the negotiations until President William Ruto vetoes any anti-gay law. 

"Given the rapidly deteriorating state of LGBTQI+ rights in Kenya, we kindly request that your office temporarily pause the negotiations. The STIP negotiations take place during a critical time, as LGBTQI+ people in Kenya face grave danger."

"For this reason, we ask you to pause these negotiations and only resume if President Ruto commits to vetoing any legislation that criminalizes the LGBTQI+ community," the letter dated June 8 reads. 

The lobby groups attributed their call for action on that the proposed anti-gay bill goes against the principles and values that the Biden administration stands for. 

"The U.S. government must stand by its values and maximize its leverage to combat hate. Pursuing the U.S.-Kenya STIP at this time without assurances protecting the human rights of LGBTQI+ people sends the wrong message that the U.S. will look the other way and compromise its stated values in furtherance of economic and trade goals," the letter reads. 

Speaking on Kaluma's Bill, they decried the legislation saying that it will infringe the rights and promote hatred against LGBTQI+ persons. 

"The world is watching the rising tide of intolerance and hate in Kenya, Tanzania, and beyond."

"Proceeding with STIP negotiations sends the wrong message not only to Kenya but also to all countries currently considering policies that pose harm to LGBTQI+ people," the letter adds. 

Peter Kaluma, through his bill further wants the state to limit rights to assembly, demonstration, association, expression, belief, privacy, and employment in childcare institutions in respect of homosexual convicts. 

The bill if passed will see the penalty imposed on homosexuals ranging from imprisonment of at least 10 years to death.