February 13, 2010

Police in Mtwapa, Kenya raided what appeared to be a gay wedding and arrested five men that have been accused of being gay. Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya, but arrests are said to be rare (homosexual behavior is illegal across Africa; with the exception of South Africa). Reportedly, two men were planning on getting married at a private villa at the Kikambala beach resort. Locals heard about the planned wedding and alerted the police. The police then raided the house and found the two men with wedding rings attempting to get married. The other three men were handed to the police by members of the public; two of the men had reportedly been beaten. The district officer said the five men will first undergo a medical examination and then they will be charged with homosexuality. The district officer said, "We are grateful to the public for alerting the police. They should continue cooperating with the police to arrest more. It is an offense, an unnatural offense, and also their behavior is repugnant to the morality of the people." He added that the police force also has plans to also close down bars which "condone gays, lesbians, prostitution, and drug abuse in their premises." [Wow. Likening condoning gays and lesbians to prostitution and drug abuse. As if they all fit in the same category...]. The alleged marriage was also condemned by Muslim and Christian clerics.

On Thursday, two other men that were planning to get married at a seaside villa in the same area abandoned their wedding plans. They did this after local authorities complained. The couple and their guests fled the city when word got out that the police, government officers, and members of the public were looking for them. (Full Story)