Kenyan Man in Canada Risks Deportation Over Doubts on Sexual Orientation

Charles Mwangi’s journey as a Kenyan asylum seeker residing in Toronto, Canada, has been a harrowing tale of courage and fear.

His future in Canada hangs in the balance as he awaits a decision on his asylum application. In 2019, Mwangi made the agonizing decision to flee his homeland Kenya after receiving threats that imperiled his life due to his sexual orientation. Seeking sanctuary in Canada, a nation renowned for its commitment to human rights and embrace of diversity, Mwangi embarked on a journey fraught with uncertainty and hardship. His previous asylum applications have been met with rejection, leaving him with a mere month to secure his place in Canada.

The Canadian government has questioned the credibility of his narrative, asserting that his account of facing persecution in Kenya is “not believable.” Despite having served in Afghanistan, Mwangi found himself isolated and lacking social security in his newfound home. The weight of his predicament is evident in his words: “I will be killed by my community and family if I go back to Kenya.” He claims that he lives each day in constant dread as the prospect of returning to Kenya could spell the end of his life.

For Mwangi, Canada represents a sanctuary where he can authentically embrace his identity without the threat of persecution looming over him.

A glimmer of hope emerged last week when Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced plans to provide a pathway to citizenship for thousands of undocumented immigrants, including rejected asylum seekers like Mwangi. This proposal aims to offer a lifeline to those seeking refuge within Canada’s borders. The statement by the Immigration Minister echoes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s previous promise to ensure permanent residence for undocumented migrants.

As the proposal heads to Parliament, the urgency to fulfill this commitment grows as Mwangi’s fate hangs in the balance. Canada has an opportunity to honor its promise to undocumented immigrants and prevent individuals like Mwangi from facing the harrowing prospect of deportation.