PEMA-Kenya executive director Ishmael Omumbwa addressing journalists in Mombasa. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala]
The government has been urged to stop criminalising gays and lesbians in the country and instead protect their rights.Persons Marginalized and Aggrieved in Kenya (PEMA), an organization that protects the rights and welfare of the sexual minorities in the country has said though violent incidences against Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) in the Coast region have reduced, the government needs to recognise such people.Addressing a media sensitization forum that brought together journalists and LGBTIs in Mombasa over the weekend, PEMA’s executive director Ishmael Omumbwa said the government has ignored the group despite their increasing numbers.Omumbwa said the Coast region has about 700 members of the LGBTI community registered under various organisations helping and protecting their rights.“Though we have a total of 218 registered members in Mombasa, the figure is far much bigger since most of them do not disclose their sexual orientation,” said Omumbwa.He said Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu counties have a large number of LGBTIs who are in need of basic services.“It is disturbing that when our members visit health centers to seek health services, they are turned away after they disclose their sexual orientation,” he added.He also criticized the media for airing stories in a manner that would discriminate against the members.Omumbwa cited an incident in February 12, 2010 where the media reported that a gay wedding ceremony was conducted in Mtwapa.He said the reports were false.“There was no gay wedding in Mtwapa or in any other place in the Coast region. The media traumatized our members causing some to flee to neighbouring Tanzania to seek refuge,” he added.He appealed to the media fraternity to report the right information and always seek clarification from PEMA-Kenya officials.