By Rawlings Otieno
Kenya has defended its stand on same-sex marriage.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa on Wednesday told the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) that the law under the Bill of Rights was clear on the opposite sex marriages and vowed that the Government’s position is that same sex marriages remain illegal.
The commission had sought to know why the Government had continued to criminalise same sex marriages and sexual activities noting that by criminalising them, more people continue to shy away prompting the spread of HIV.
“The Kenyan Government has continued to criminalise homosexuality and this has led to the increase of the spread against these most at risk persons,” said one of the commissioners.
UNCHR yet again put to task the Kenyan delegation over the right of suspected individuals and their right to be prosecuted within 24 hours.
Wamalwa’s team was questioned on the reports of use of excessive force by the police in dealing with demonstrations in the country especially during post-election violence.
Programmes
Police Spokesman Erick Kiraithe, who is part of the Kenyan delegation, said training programmes had been developed to equip police officers with skills to manage demonstrations.
“Madam chair a lot has changed since the end of the post-election violence. There are training programmes that have been introduced for police officers,” said Kiraithe.
The police spokesman also admitted that the Constitution provides for freedom of demonstration, noting that no one should be prohibited from the enjoyment of the right if the demonstration is peaceful.
He at the same time asked human rights activists in Kenya to follow the right channel of legal mechanism to solve any differences they may have regarding demonstrations or a breach of such right.
Wamalwa said the Government continues to face threats posed by terror groups and called on the international community to support it in combating terrorism and piracy especially in Indian Ocean waters.
The commission said it had also received several reports on human trafficking that has been going on.
It noted that the Government has not effectively dealt with human trafficking and called for strict enforcement of the law to curb the menace.
Finally, the commission chair asked the Kenyan delegation to deal effectively with police torture, extra-judicial killings and human trafficking and the issue of same sex marriages.
