MPs throw out proposal to punish gays with death

What you need to know:

  • The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee said it does not agree with the law proposed by the Republican Liberty Party through its legal secretary, Mr Edward Onwong’a Nyakeriga.
  • The committee argued that the Constitution not only establishes that the family is the natural and fundamental unit of society, but is forthright that Article 45 provides that every adult has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex.
  • Kiharu MP Irungu Kang’ata, who heads a caucus of anti-gay MPs, told the Daily Nation that he was happy with the committee’s decision because the petition and the proposed Bill were frivolous and Kenya has sufficient anti-gay laws.

A parliamentary team has thrown out a proposal to have a law prescribing death by public stoning to anybody found participating in homosexual acts.

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee said it does not agree with the law proposed by the Republican Liberty Party through its legal secretary, Mr Edward Onwong’a Nyakeriga.

“The committee does not agree with the petitioner’s proposed legislation as it is unnecessary. Article 45 of the Constitution adequately safeguards and protects family values,” the committee said in a report tabled in the National Assembly.

The committee argued that the Constitution not only establishes that the family is the natural and fundamental unit of society, but is forthright that Article 45 provides that every adult has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex.

“These provisions adequately protect the family values that apply in our democracy,” it concluded.

It, however, left the window open for the matter to be determined by the larger House, saying: “The petitioner is, however, at liberty to approach any willing member or committee of the House to sponsor the proposed legislation on his behalf.”

Kiharu MP Irungu Kang’ata, who heads a caucus of anti-gay MPs, told the Daily Nation that he was happy with the committee’s decision because the petition and the proposed Bill were frivolous and Kenya has sufficient anti-gay laws.

Mr Nyakeriga, however, told the Nation that the party was not happy with the decision of the committee.