Kenyans shun West push to back gayism

Kenyans are not ready to support abortion and homosexuality despite the pressure from the Western world, a new survey released on Wednesday shows.

The West has even been threatening to stop economic aid to African countries that fail to respect the rights of gays and their marriages.

The study titled “Perception Towards Abortion and Homosexuality in Kenya” is a clear testimony that gayism remains an uncommon practice in Kenya.

Some 93 per cent of 2,059 people interviewed across the country said they did not know any gay person and that homosexuality should not be legalised while those who have come out of the closet should be prosecuted.

According to the study, active homosexual practice mainly happens in urban areas among the youth aged between 18-24 years.

The survey was carried out by Ipsos Kenya on behalf of Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF) after it expressed concern over raising cases of abortion and homosexuality in the country.

Interestingly, 87 per cent of the people interviewed said they did not support abortion.

However, the survey showed that some women are choosing to terminate their pregnancies to pursue careers.

At least 43 per cent of those who supported abortion said that it was a better option if the woman or the couple were not ready for a child as they pursued their careers or other interests.

From the findings, nine per cent of the interviewees supported abortion while five per cent specified that it was only necessary if the life of the mother was in danger as stated in the law.

“There is need for Kenyan employers to take serious note that there is growing need for flexibility of working conditions for women, so as to allow them to choose to have family and at the same time have a career,” Ms Margaret Ireri, the managing director of Ipsos told the audience at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.

PRIVATE CLINICS

The survey further showed that abortion is mainly procured in private clinics and not by quacks in the backstreet.

The doctors who help terminate pregnancies were condemned during the release of the report.

Abortion, the Christian forum’s chairperson, Ms Ann Mbugua, said had become a big concern in the Christian community.

Ms Mbugua said most of the abortions take place in urban areas where many poor women view it as a burden to carry a pregnancy for nine months.

“We must look for social solutions to this problem by asking ourselves: What do we do as parents to prevent this?” Ms Mbugua posed as she asked the Church and the government to act.

The Christian professionals forum, she said, had been forced to start rescue centres for women as a solution to the abortion problem.

“We have already rescued 40 girls who are pregnant and we are providing them with shelter to allow them carry their pregnancies to term,” the chairperson said.

She said the organisation decided to have the study carried out to seek solutions to the two problems of homosexuality and abortion.

Dr Wahome Ngari, a member of the forum, said it had been established that, abortion not only affects the health of the woman, but also affects her psychological wellbeing.