Church warns Obama against promoting gays during tour

Preacher, televangelist, author and the senior pastor of Deliverance Church LCCI Bishop Mark Kariuki lead religious leaders, faithfuls and activists in a peaceful demonstration along streets of Nairobi to present a petition to the president against attempts to legalize same sex marriages in Kenya on Monday, June 6, 2015. [PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD].

The decision on whether to legalise homosexuality and same sex marriages in Kenya should be made through a referendum, different faith-based groups and the Family Caucus in Parliament have said.

The groups said the family unit in Kenya is being compromised and the promotion of homosexuality is against the Christian faith and the Constitution that promotes and protects the family unit.

The Family Caucus in Parliament, the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum and the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission took to the streets yesterday in what they called 'the march for the family.'

Kiharu MP Irungu Kang'ata, who led The Family Caucus in Parliament group, said the Judiciary had become the route to legalisation of matters such as homosexuality and abortion, adding that he foresaw trouble for not only the country but the continent if the controversial matters in question were embraced.

"There is a petition for the promotion of abortion in court and it is clear the court has started legalising homosexuality in some of the judgements it has made. I think such decisions should be made at a referendum and if they win, it will all be well and good and if we win, then they should drop this matter completely," he said.

He pointed out that homosexuality was being promoted by the Western world, which, he said, were facing a demographic crisis because children were not being born. He said when the US President visits; they would hold a demonstration against him.

"Obama has supported homosexuality in his country but when he comes here, I would want to ask him why he is not married to a man."

Speaking at the same forum, the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya Chairman Bishop Mark Kariuki pointed out that their walk against homosexuality was not one of condemnation but one meant to declare their stand.

"There is a misconception that the church hates gays but we don't. We hate the sin. The same way alcoholics are taken to rehab and reformed; gays can be helped," he said.

The bishop said when the US President visits the country, he should respect Kenyan values and not talk about homosexuality.

"The US is not God and just because they have legalised it does not mean that we should do the same blindly," said Bishop Kariuki.

The groups held a procession and dropped a petition at Supreme Court, Attoney General's and Deputy President's offices, seeking to petition the President not to legalise same sex marriages.