The situation in the seaside Kenyan town of Mtwapa is still hazy, but one thing is clear – five gay Kenyans are in police custody, and mobs are baying for their blood. (via Towleroad)
Reports from Reuters and The Nation, a major Kenyan newspaper, conflict, but it seems that following a police raided a purported gay wedding at a private beach villa (sodomy is illegal in Kenya, but not homosexuality), a mob gathered and started threatening other “notorious gays.” Police rescued at least one man from a group of youths, and eventually took five men into custody, including three who were fingered as “behind the spread of [homosexuality]” in Mtwapa.
KenyaImagine, a Kenyan citizen journalism website, reports that local imams and Christian preachers have been inciting the community to violence with the cooperation of two local radio stations. They also report that mobs under the direction of local imams wanted to burn down an HIV clinic that appears to treat gay men, as well as a local gay night spot.
The police asked the Imams to calm the youth and they agreed. The Imams were happy that the police had started arresting homosexuals and wanted them to arrest more from the clinic.
***
Actually Kaya and Baraka FM have been inciting people to act this morning and an Imam was interviewed by Baraka FM and he called on people to protest against homosexuals. Radio Rahama also been asking Muslims to find these men.
The clinic has been closed and all staff sent home, presumably for their protection.
The Nation reports that two nationally influential clerics have claimed responsibility for the attacks, calling them a success.
“We thank God for saving this town from being turned to Sodom and Gomorra of this era as we may be on verge of being doomed had this criminals managed to conduct their evil exercise within our neighbourhood,” said Bishop [Lawrence] Chai.
Chai is the chief local organizer for the National Council of Churches of Kenya, and is working with Sheikh Hussein Ali, his counterpart in the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK). The two held a news conference to celebrate the events.
According to Julia Opoti, the Minneapolis-based publisher of KenyaImagine, Bishop Chai “isn’t the biggest bishop in Kenya, but his organization is pretty influential in politics and social issues.”
Opoti said in an interview with TheColu.mn that KenyaImagine writers were still investigating why the mob had targeted the HIV clinic.
Elsewhere…
D.C. – Patrick Kennedy, (D-RI) Iraq veteran, son of the late Ted Kennedy, and a major force behind DADT repeal legislation in the House of Representatives, is planning on retiring from politics once his term is up. (Politico)
D.C. – Speaking of DADT, AmericaBlog reports that since his State of the Union speech, President Obama has shown very little leadership on pushing for a DADT repeal, suggesting there is no concrete plan. Healthcare reform redux, much? Meanwhile, Servicemembers United proposes an 18-month plan to repeal DADT. A delay, they say, is an essential bone to throw to military leaders in order to prevent a 1993-style revolt while maintaining momentum necessary for a successful repeal. (AmericaBlog, The Advocate)
Rhode Island – The Rhode Island state legislature elects its first openly gay Speaker of the House. (The Providence Journal)
Teh Interwebs – Do you support a DADT repeal? All depends on whether we’re talking “homosexuals” or “gays and lesbians.” (Joe.My.God)
London – The late, great Alexander McQueen’s influence on the fashion world (BBC)