Gay Wedding Leads to 5 Arrests In Kenya

Kenyan police arrested five men suspected of attempting to take part in what was supposed to be a secret gay wedding in Kikambala beach resort in Kenya yesterday. Under Kenyan law homosexuality is illegal and is punishable by up to fourteen years in prison.

It is unclear if the intended couple are among those who were arrested, according AFP they escaped arrest however the BBC is reporting that two of the men had wedding rings in their possession and are believed to be the intended newlyweds.

The secret wedding was disrupted after locals found out about the plans and contacted the authorities. Three of the men were reportedly apprehended by civilians and turned over to the local police; two of the men were reportedly beaten. A crowd gathered outside of the police station where the men were being held to protest against homosexuality, local officials say that the men might have been stoned if they were not arrested. Police later thanked the public for their assistance and urged continued cooperation.

District officer George Matandura said:

"We are grateful to the public for alerting the police. They should continue cooperating with the police to arrest more, it is an offence, an unnatural offence, and also their behavior is repugnant to the morality of the people."

The wedding was criticized by Christian and Muslim clerics alike, according to AFP Sheikh Ali Hussein of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya said:

"We cannot allow these young boys to ruin their future through homosexuality, we shall use all means to curb this vice."

The five men are expected to undergo a medical exam to determine if they had “illegal carnal knowledge of each other.” Before being charged with homosexuality.

Thursday another gay wedding was disrupted before it took place after authorities became aware of the plans, the couple and their guest were forced to flee when word spread that the police and local residents were searching for them.