SAME SEX MARRIAGE: Religious Leaders to Hold Anti-Gay Protest In Kenya

Christian MPs will join the anti-gay caucus committee in a protest against homosexuality on Monday.

The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission and the Kenya Christian Professional Forum will also participate, Kiharu MP Irungu Kingata said via Facebook on Friday.



Kingata invited members of the public to "march for the family" which will be flagged off by bishops Mark Kariuki and David Kamau at Uhuru Park at 9am.

Kuria, who is a gay activist, said the caucus may be motivated by the "sponsorship" by Christian Right groups in America.

He said the caucus is using "moral outrage" to create an atmosphere of homosexuality for LGBT people in Kenya.

The issue is urgent for anti-gays especially after Mozambique decriminalised homosexuality on Wednesday, he said.

He warned that activists may resort to "outting" religious leaders who claim to be celibate but secretly have families.

Kingata did not pick his phone when contacted for further comments.

The march comes days after the US supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.

President Barack Obama, who is set to visit to visit Kenya later, this month termed the ruling a "victory for America".

In Africa, Obama's decision has sparked both hope and disgust, Reuters reported.

In majority of continent's 54 states, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have to hide their sexual orientation for fear of persecution or criminal prosecution.

South Africa is the only African country that permits gay or lesbian marriage.

For that reason, some African gay rights activists are hoping Obama's visit to Kenya and Ethiopia, beginning on July 25, will help boost their cause.

"Our viewpoint is that President Obama is free to talk about LGBT equality in Kenya," said Eric Gitari, head of the east African country's National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

Obama should "show solidarity" with gay activists without appearing to lecture, he added.