UK embassy in Nairobi criticised for hoisting LGBTQ flag

LGBTQ flag.[UK embassy,twitter]

The British Embassy in Kenya has come under sharp criticism, following a tweet on its official handle, declaring its support for the LGBTQ community.

The tweet, a picture, showed the UK embassy hoisting the LGBTQ flag at their offices in Nairobi.

On Thursday, June 29, the embassy tweeted: "We're proudly flying the rainbow flag at the British High Commission to mark pride month. In the UK, we know that when everyone is free to thrive and be themselves, we all benefit. Everyone should be free to love whom they love."

The embassy captioned the flag with a positive message of freedom to love as they mark pride month, which occurs in June

The now-viral tweet has elicited mixed reactions from social media users, with the majority expressing their disappointment.

A Twitter user going by Hezron Biwott criticised the post saying: "Yes, you have the right to fly that flag but not in Kenya please, this is mockery and we can't take it...we as Africans strongly condemn the way you're misusing the rainbow colors, our kids and the next generation deserve better."

Another user, Gichuki Wanjiku, said that the post showed how insensitive the UK embassy was to Kenyan beliefs and culture.

"Please, don't abuse your welcome. Be sensitive to Kenyan citizens, their choices, beliefs, and convictions. Are you flying the flag in Saudi Arabia? What about Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria," she said.

Netizens criticized the post demanding that the flag be brought down terming it "a disrespect to African countries", but some others also supported the move, quoting the tweet with the 'rainbow' flag.

The controversy surrounding the LGBTQ law has stirred a heated debate among African countries on whether to uphold or denounce it.

In May this year, Uganda set the lead by asserting the anti-LGBTQ bill into law that now attracts prison or the death penalty for anyone who identifies with the group.

Kenya has also made a step by tabling a motion in Parliament that saw MPs support banning publications that promote same-sex relations.

However, in February this year, the high court ruled that LGBTQ and intersex rights groups have the right to register as non-governmental organizations.

The ruling attracted criticism from the president and other leaders who termed it as "a law against our norms and beliefs", mounting pressure on the court to reverse the ruling.

"We respect our court's decisions but in Kenya, we have our culture, traditions, and religious beliefs. We can't go down the road of women marrying women or men marrying men. Same-sex marriage will happen somewhere else and not in Kenya," President Ruto said.

Tanzania also recently banned a popular series of children's books from schools that contain LGBTQ-specific content.

President Samia Suluhu described LGBTQ as "an imported culture" cautioning students against following it.

In what is seen as a precise move, the neighboring East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania) have tightened their nose on the promotion of homosexuality through new laws and banning LGBTQ content.