A highly anticipated decision in Kenyan High Court that would decriminalize gay sex has been placed on has been placed on hold. The ruling, which had been expected on February 22nd has been delayed until May 24th tentatively reports Reuters.
A full court in Nairobi listened to Judge Chacha Mwita as he declared that the courts needed more time to come to a decision.
This just means that same-sex relationship continue to be illegal in Kenya and can be punishable by law with up to 14 years in prison.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who won the election in 2017, told CNN:
It is very difficult for us to be able to impose on people that which they themselves do not accept. This is why I repeatedly say for Kenyans today the (gay rights issue) is generally a non-issue. We want to focus on other areas.
In Kenya and other African countries, gay men have been subjected to forced anal exams to prove if they are breaking the law.
Reuters reports that 534 people have been arrested in Kenya for being in same-sex relationship from 2013-2017.
Just last month, Angola became the first country in 2019 to decriminalize homosexuality, leaving 69 countries that still have conservative laws in place against homosexuality.
Kenyans now must wait until at least May 24th to see if their country will follow in Angola’s footsteps.
h/t: Reuters
