LGBT Protest Against Magoha’s Proposal Of Banning Them From Boarding Schools.
A group of Kenyan LGBT students demonstrated on Thursday in response to a Cabinet Secretary’s recent suggestion that they be barred from boarding schools.
The schools are common in Kenya, and students and rights organizations argue that a ban would be discriminatory and jeopardize their safety.
Dozens of enraged students marched through Nairobi on Thursday in a peaceful protest against Kenya’s Ministry of Education.
They were armed with placards that condemned the Cabinet Secretary for Education, George Magoha, for suggesting that homosexual students be barred from boarding schools.
They contended that Magoha’s statements posed a threat to equality, endangered students, and amounted to depriving them of their fundamental right to an education.
Protesters who marched to the Ministry of Education offices argued that because the majority of students are under the age of 18, they are protected under the Constitution as minors who should not be discriminated against.
“His directive not only bars queer kids from getting quality education but also propels negative attitudes, stigma and discrimination of queer kids. Queer rights are human rights,” a statement by Bold Network Africa read.
The cabinet secretary has yet to issue an official order prohibiting suspected gay students from attending Kenyan boarding schools.
A state education official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that a formal circular would normally be sent to all boarding school heads.
“Implementing such a directive would be very difficult and can lead to a lot of fury. You can see that the statement he made is already causing chaos. What if a principal of a school was seen doing that? it would be a disaster,” said the education official.
The leaders of the LGBT community who presented their petition to the Ministry of Education are scheduled to meet with Magoha next week.
Activists who led the protests added that the CS’s remarks were reckless and could cause public division.
“Today we march to Magoha’s office, protesting against discrimination of queer kids in school following prejudiced remarks by the CS.
CS Magoha sparked outrage after warning that homosexual students would be barred from boarding schools.
“Right now, there are contemporary cases of children who are homosexual and lesbians, they must go to day schools close to their homes.
Also Read:
Prof Makau Mutua, Chairperson of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHCR), condemned his remarks, claiming that he was victimizing students.
"CS Magoha is a bigot. To bar gay children from boarding schools is unconstitutional, discriminatory, and inhuman. We must love all our kids no matter their sexualities,” Prof Makau Mutua stated.
LGBT Protest Against Magoha’s Proposal Of Banning Them From Boarding Schools
LGBT Protest Against Magoha’s Proposal Of Banning Them From Boarding Schools
