US Gov’t Denies Claims of Promoting LGBTQ Agenda in Kenya

The United States government has defended itself against claims of pushing the LGBTQ agenda in Kenya.

Speaking during a tour of Kajiado County on Friday, US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman stated that her country respects Kenya’s position on gay rights and has not tried to coerce Kenya or any other nation to accept same-sex relations.

The ambassador further clarified that there is no link between the recent Sh16 billion drought relief donation by the US to Kenya and last week’s ruling by the Supreme Court allowing the registration of LGBTQ lobby groups.

“Countries have their differences, we have a very strong working relationship of many years and I think the Kenyan government probably knows the US perceptive, in fact I know they do, but we also respect Kenya’s rights on this particular issue,” Whitman told reporters.

“I want to underscore that there is absolutely no linkage at all between the food and drought relief and Kenyan’s stance on LGBTQ.”

Nevertheless, Whiteman reiterated her country’s position on gay rights, insisting that the rights of LGBTQ persons should be respected just as human rights.

“Our view is that every country has to make their own decisions about its own LGBTQ rights. In the United States we probably have a different perception which is we view LGBTQ rights as human rights,” Whitman explained.

“But we respect every country’s point of view on what position they want to take on this and of course, we will respect that. Of course, our democratic rights on the way we feel are different, and that is okay.”

On Thursday, President Ruto affirmed that his administration will not condone same-sex relationships as such practices do not conform to the country’s traditions and beliefs.

“We respect our courts but our traditions and beliefs do not allow same-sex relationships. That will not happen in Kenya, it may happen elsewhere but not in this country,” Ruto stated. “I will not allow men to compete with women for other men,” he added.