As Kenya prepares to introduce anti-LGBT legislation in parliament, advocacy groups in the United States are urging a pause in trade negotiations between the two nations.

The proposed bill, spearheaded by MP George Peter Kaluma from Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement, aims to further criminalize same-sex acts. The penalties outlined in the bill include a suggested minimum sentence of ten years in prison and even the death penalty for cases of "aggravated homosexuality," which encompasses engaging in homosexual acts with a minor or disabled person and transmitting a terminal disease through sexual means.

Additionally, the proposed Family Protection Act seeks to impose a complete ban on any activities that promote homosexuality, such as displaying LGBTQ flags or symbols.

It is important to note that Kenya already criminalizes same-sex acts with penalties of up to 14 years of imprisonment.

The campaign led by Kaluma has deeply troubled advocacy groups, including coalitions in the United States, who are now urging President Biden to suspend trade talks in response to the proposed legislation.

U.S. concern

The coalition, comprising a number of LGBTQI+, labor, trade, HIV, and human rights groups, on Monday sent a letter to the US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, timed to coincide with her visit to Kenya for the launch of the United States-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP).

In their letter, the groups called on Ambassador Tai to "pause STIP negotiation until President Ruto commits to vetoing this bill".

Members of US Congress also wrote to the ambassador in June to express their concern, saying “The United States must make clear to both Kenya and other countries considering similar legislation that we will not stand idly by as they move to criminalize or further criminalize people for being LGBTQI+."

Growing anti-LGBTQ sentiment

The proposed bill in Kenya comes following Uganda's new Anti-Homosexuality Bill passed into law in May by President Yoweri Museveni. Considered one of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ laws, it fully criminalises same-sex acts, with possible penalties of life imprisonment or death penalty.

In Ghana, lawmakers are in the process of amending the country's own anti-LGBTQ legislation with propositions of a three-year prison sentence for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ and a 10-year sentence for anyone who promotes homosexuality.

In Kenya, the Nairobi-based National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission have reported a surge in number of attacks against the community. Calls it has received reporting abuse, including assaults, threats and discrimination, rose from 78 in January to 117 in February and 367 in March, the commission said.