The Rastafari community in Nakuru is calling on Kenyans to stand up and protect their cultural traditions and values following the recent Supreme Court of Kenya ruling on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ).

The apex court recently criticised the government for failing to register unions and associations for the LGBTQ people, saying the decision discriminates against the rights of the community.

The NGOs Co-ordination Board had refused to register six unions, among them the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Council

In a strong statement, the Empress Menen Cultural Group is urging the government to take immediate action, of whatever nature, to reverse the ruling, which they say undermines the very fabric of the society.

The group’s chairman, Kimathi Thuo stated that leaders must protect Kenya’s traditional values and promote the principles of natural law and morality.

“We call on the government to ensure that the traditional values that have guided us throughout our history are respected and protected,” he stated on the sidelines of a worship service in Nakuru City.

He said the community fully supports the recent comments made by political leaders, led by President William Ruto regarding LGBTQ unions and associations.

The Rastafari community emphasized that the government should immediately give a way forward, specifically that which respects the country’s values and beliefs

“It is only through united and such honest efforts that we can ensure that these values are preserved for future generations,” stated Thuo the Rastafarians stand with all groups protecting the sanctity of family structures.

LGBTQ advocacy groups and individuals have for years been pushing for greater recognition and protection of the rights of the LGBTQ community in Kenya.

They have been vocal about the need to repeal laws that criminalize homosexuality and provide legal recognition and protection for same-sex relationships.

However, same-sex unions remain illegal in Kenya, as homosexual activity is criminalized under Section 162 of the Penal Code. The maximum sentence for engaging in homosexual activity is 14 years in prison.

The importance of the Bible in Christianity cannot be overemphasized, as it serves as the foundation for Christian beliefs and practices. However, for some communities, access to this holy book in their native language is a challenge, hindering their spiritual growth and understanding of the faith.

To bridge this gap, the Bible Translation and Literacy organization celebrated its 41st anniversary by organizing a fun run at Nakuru High School to raise awareness and funds for its translation projects.

Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, who attended the event, stressed the significance of making the Bible accessible to all communities, saying, “The Bible is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and guidance, and everyone must have access to it in their native language.”

The event was also graced by other officials, including Chief Officer Resource mobilisation Pastor Alex Maina, Vice-chair of BTK Board Kendi Ogamba, and the manager of Investment BTK Godfrey Mwenda. They also participated in flagging off the race, marking the organization’s inception 41 years ago.

The run saw the participation of children from various schools, reminding everyone of the importance of making the Bible available to all communities, regardless of language or background. As the Deputy Governor rightly put it, “Let’s do good when we can, for time waits for no man.”

Overall, this fun run serves as a call to action to support organizations like Bible Translation and Literacy, as they work towards making the Bible accessible to all communities. In the words of the organization’s founder, Cameron Townsend, “The greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue. It never needs a furlough, is never considered a foreigner, and it costs nothing.”