CITAM Church questions Supreme Court on LGBTQ right of association ruling

In its ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court said that the decision to deny LGBTQ members their right to register as an NGO, despite homosexuality being illegal in the nation, was discriminatory.

This followed a ruling made in 2013 by lower courts to deny members of the community in Kenya to register a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for the advancement of their rights.

Through a rejoinder on Sunday, CITAM presiding bishop Calisto Odede questioned the Apex court's ruling pondering whether other illegal practitioners should also be granted their freedom of association.

"This rather contradictory ruling has left many of us wondering whether other illegal practitioners like paedophiles and those involved in incest also have right of association and if not, how different they are from homosexuals. And perhaps criminal organisations as well," read part of the statement.

Bishop Odede affirmed that the church will not cower from condemning such rulings, arguing that encouraging homosexual behaviour wrecks the cultural norms of Africa and stands against Christian doctrines.

According to Bishop Odede, the church views homosexual behaviour as sin because it is contrary to "God’s created order for the family and human relationships."

He therefore called on Kenyans "of moral integrity" to reject the supreme court ruling claiming it will erode the societal norms in the nation.

"We call upon Christians and Kenyans of goodwill to stand out in opposition to this ruling and express their disagreement openly."

Clerics from the Redeemed Gospel Church of Kenya have also condemned the ruling, saying that the groups should not even be allowed in Kenya.

Archbishop Arthur Kitonga said that allowing such can bring curses to the country since it amounts to breaking the laws of God. 

On his part, Reverend Joseph Ngutu of the Redeemed Gospel Church Tala said that the courts should ensure rulings go hand in hand with biblical teachings.

Kitonga added that he will organise for a meeting with all Church leaders, to come up with a uniform voice on the same, urging leaders not to remain silent on the same.