Obama Visit: Politicization
of Gays a Big Loser for Kenya (The Daily Nation, Kenya)
"Kenya's
political heavyweights have deliberately tied U.S. President Barack Obama's visit
to same-sex relationships. … The drive appears primed to rally the ruling coalition's
religious base by linking Obama to Kenya's gays and lesbians - whom
conservative clergy and faithful find anathema. It is, however, ludicrous, that
Nairobi would welcome Obama and then portray him as 'sex transgressor-in-chief.'
… What should occupy Jubilee's collective mind is not what Obama may say about
gays and lesbians, but what to do about the supreme law - because it gives people
they abominate the right to freedom of association."
Kenya's political heavyweights, including Deputy President
William Ruto, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and majority leader Aden Duale
have deliberately tied U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to same-sex
relationships.
The drive appears primed to rally Jubilee's [the ruling
coalition's] religious base by linking Obama to Kenya's gays and lesbians - whom
conservative clergy and faithful find anathema. It is, however, ludicrous, that
Nairobi would welcome Obama and then portray him as "sex
transgressor-in-chief."
This personal and unprovoked assault rekindles the
government's discomfort with the man who cold-shouldered Jubilee's top ticket
in the 2013 general election. Why else would Nairobi reduce the agenda of the
first visit by a U.S. president to same-sex affairs?
First, sex was not on the menu when Obama hosted African
heads of state in Washington last August; trade and investment were. Second,
Obama is a recent convert to the cause, having only embraced same gender
relationships in 2012. Three, Obama is no fool.
If he were, he would not, as a junior African American
senator, have become the 44th U.S. president. Obama boasts substantial
political talent. That is why he floored Democratic favorite Hillary Clinton
and Republican war hero John McCain in 2008 and former Massachusetts Governor
Mitt Romney in 2012.
Obama possesses information, sensibilities and sensitivities
to know what to say to his hosts, when and how to say it. So, if he addresses
sexuality it will not be because of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to
make same-sex marriage an American right.
It will more likely be because Kenya's gays and lesbians
will have petitioned him to address the criminalization of their sexuality by
the Penal Code. President Obama, however, knows he cannot legislate for Kenya nor
export this newfound American right.
SUPREME LAW
Two, gays and lesbians are not canvassing for recognition
because of Obama's visit. They stick up for themselves. On their own, they went
to court to demand registration of their lobby. Obama did not advise the three
judges to rule that their association be registered.
This ruling is grounded in the Constitution, which states in
Section 36 (1) that: "Every person has the right to freedom of
association, which includes the right to form, join or participate in the
activities of an association of any kind."
So what should occupy Jubilee minds is not what Obama may
say about gays and lesbians, but what to do about the supreme law - because it
gives people they abominate the right to freedom of association.
Three, Jubilee should know the following about Obama's
visit. First, it is anchored to Africa's role in the U.S. National Defense
Strategy (NSS). Second, it is grounded in the U.S.
agenda to lead the world.
This is a look at coverage from Kenya's newspaper and broadcast media, all of which reflects the fine line President...
Third, these are in tandem with its oft-repeated objective
of strengthening democratic institutions; promoting and spurring economic
growth, trade and investment; and advancing peace and security.
When the 2015 NSS was released,
Canada's Centre for Research on Globalisation,
reported that the "most detailed strategy outlined is for U.S. hyper
engagement with Africa, which is envisaged as having both economic and military
components."
Africa's security concerns the United States because if, for
example, terrorists found a haven on the continent, they would attack American
embassies, businesses or homeland itself. Therefore, Obama sees Africa through
a U.S. security and trade prism and not a gay sex matrix.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
Now Western capitals cannot ignore Africa's rising economic
importance. A recent Economist Group study on global firms reported that 65 percent
of those surveyed planned to expand into Africa – and the study said that the
final decision to invest or not depends on factors like security, economic
policy and politics.
So what should exercise government apparatchiks is how
Kenyan firms can benefit from Washington's increasing interest in a rising
Africa and how to best canvass for these benefits.
Jubilee should lead the way in figuring out how Obama can be
made to commit money to Kenya's security, infrastructure, health and education
now that America has become the world's largest producer of oil and, therefore,
has extra funds.
Yes, corruption will be on Obama's agenda, but not because a
hamstrung opposition disparages Nairobi's graft war. If Nairobi wants U.S.
dollars, Congress holds the strings to the purse and it ties taxpayer money to
good governance and accountability.
Back to the beginning; long after Obama's visit, our gays
and lesbians will still be Nairobi's - and not Washington's - headache. They
are Kenyan citizens; Obama is America's president.
