NGLHRC Founder Member Threatened by Landlord after Ruling that Saw Court Order NGO Coordinator Board to Register the Organization

George Barasa

Kenya Correspondent

A few days after High Court instructed the NGO Coordination board to register the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, founder member Ms. Njeri Gateru and the organization are already being subjected to bullying from some Members of Parliament as well as fellow citizens.

The three judge ruling saw court order the board to register and officially recognize the NGLHRC as a functional Non Governmental Organisation on Friday and now the intimidation messages and deeds have started, directed at not only the organization but the members as well.

“Not even 5 minutes after appearing on T.V my building manager shows up at my door to tell me ‘hiyo hairuhusiwi’.(Loosely translated to mean It is not allowed) What is not allowed I ask him. He starts to mumble something about the management finding out. I have no time to deal with this. Without batting an eyelid I recite to him the stipulations of my lease, Article 27 of the constitution and translate them both to Kiswahili.

I tell him never to set foot at my door to talk to me about such nonsense. And if ever he and the rest of the management needed to communicate to me they should write me a formal letter so I can have substance incase I need to sue them. The chap suddenly loses his guts and pleads with me to maintain our cordial relationship and that now he understands and respects my right to privacy. I am livid. He can see it. He leaves with apologies. Oh well. Lets see what’s next. This is one fight am very ready and well equipped for,” Ms Njeri shared on her Facebook wall of her exchange with her building manager who attempted to terminate her lease basing on her involvement with NGLHRC.

Members of the Kenyan Parliament have also spoken out against the ruling and claim such verdicts will only promote homosexuality in the East African state.

According to the Denis Nzioka News Agency, one of the MPs is quoted as having said gays should not be given a platform to propagate homosexuality. Such reaction was expected after the ruling but such incidences are not deterring the LGBTI community from continuing to celebrate the landmark verdict in the hope that this is the beginning of a fairer and less discriminatory Kenya.