‘No room’ for gays in Kenya, says deputy president

Kenya’s deputy president has said there is “no room” for homosexuality in Kenyan society, a widely-shared view in African countries that puts their leaders at odds with Western aid donors who back gay rights. William Ruto made the remarks at a church service on Sunday, the day U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived for talks. The United States has been at the forefront of calls for gay rights in Africa and criticizes anti-gay laws on the continent. Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Kerry was not familiar with Ruto’s remarks but said it was the U.S. position that “all people are created equal.” Like most of sub-Saharan Africa, Kenyan society is strongly religious and socially conservative.

The Republic of Kenya is a republic that worships God. We have no room for gays and those others.

William Ruto, deputy Kenyan president

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