A gay rugby team member has won a temporary reprieve after he was threatened with being deported back to Kenya. Kenneth Macharia, who’s a member of the Bristol Bisons – a rugby club which sets out to be inclusive to the whole LGBT community – claimed he would face persecution over his sexuality if he was returned.
Ken Macharia, who plays for the Bristol Bisons Rugby Football Club, first came to Britain in 2009 as a student and stayed in the country as a qualified mechanical engineer by renewing his work permits. Fearing the eventuality of having to come back to Kenya especially after his sexuality was already brought out to the public, Macharia decided to apply for an Asylum.
According to Macharia, he's decision to seek an Asylum was also heavily factored on Kenya's penal code that does in fact criminalize gay sex and does not also recognize gay marriage. The British Home Office initially rejected his appeal since it believed Kenya is a safe place for the LGBTQ community and no one faces any prosecution.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, however, advises British travellers that 'homosexual activity' in Kenya is illegal.“Public displays of homosexuality,” it says, “like holding hands or kissing in public places could lead to arrest and imprisonment.”
In November 2018, Macharia spent two weeks in Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre but was released following widespread support for a petition set up by Bristol Bisons teammate Andrew Holmes calling for his release.Bristol Bisons Rugby Football Club issued a statement today announcing Macharia's right to stay. “This latest ruling, and confirmation that the Home Office will not appeal the decision, means that Ken has the right to live — and work — in the UK for the foreseeable future, so once again, thank you to everyone who has offered their time, money and support throughout the fight.”