FRIDAY BULLETIN—The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) has lauded President Uhuru Kenyatta’s firm stand against the promotion of homosexuality in the country.
National chairman Sheikh Abdalla Ateka said President Uhuru deserve a round of applause for what he termed as a “heroic” action amidst campaigns from the western countries to promote homosexuality in Africa.
“What the President did was a moral and religious duty which should be supported,” said the CIPK chair.
He criticized western countries for forcing their immoral views on African countries and pointed out that Kenyans do not support homosexuality as it is against religious and cultural traditions cherished by Kenyans while affirming that the Muslim leadership will continue to fight for good moral values in the society.
During a joint press conference at State house with US President Barack Obama on Saturday, President Uhuru disagreed openly with his US counterpart by rejecting calls to protect and promoting homosexuality in the country.
He rebutted calls from the US President to treat every person equally under the law and not to discriminate against “people of different sexual orientation.
“Kenya and United States share so many values such as democracy, entrepreneurship and value for family. But there are some things we don’t share. Our cultures and societies don’t accept. It is very difficult for us to impose on people that which they themselves do not accept.
“This is why I repeatedly say for Kenyans today the issue of gay rights is really a non-issue, we want to focus on other areas of development,” said Uhuru.
Echoing Ateka’s sentiments, the council’s organizing secretary Sheikh Muhammad Khalifa described Uhuru’s stand as ‘brave’ noting that by rejecting to promote homosexuality in the country the president defended and respected the interests and opinions of Kenyans.
He added that the president’s bold stance is a strong affirmation for the place of family and the various religions that have been up in arms to reject the legalization of same sex marriage. “CIPK congratulates our President Uhuru Kenyatta for his bold action to reject homosexuality in the eyes of world’s most powerful man. He has demonstrated huge bravery and choose to respect and uphold the values and beliefs of Kenyans,” Sheikh Khalifa told the Friday Bulletin.
Sheikh Khalifa further commended the office of the president, the foreign affairs ministry and security docket for his contribution to makethe three-day visit for Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2015 a success.
He urged Kenyans to heed to President Obama’s calls to shun tribalism and fight corruption and the same time avoid petty politics that have continued to make the country lag behind.
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