Mke-si-mume: Neocolonialism and Sexual Practice in Kenya
The Republic of Kenya, voted one of the top five hottest tourist attractions in the world and labeled as one of the most promising and developing third world countries in Africa. This beautiful country has been a source of major controversy and debate as it takes a step into the 21st century. The topic of discussion that has sparked such great interest ranging from the President of Kenya up until the United Nations is the subject of homosexuality.
At first I will talk about the way the government has essentially denounced all rights and equality of people who practice same-sex relations in Kenya. Then I will move to address when and how same-sex activity first began in Kenya
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African leaders ranging from Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's first president, to Robert Mugabe, current president of Zimbabwe, have claimed that sex between men is ''un-African'' and only occurs on the continent as a result of pernicious Western influence. Daniel Arap Moi, the current Kenyan president, agrees saying ''Kenya has no room or time for homosexuals and lesbians. Homosexuality is against African norms and traditions, and even in religion it is considered a great sin,'' Arap Moi has been quoted saying in Kenya's Daily Nation newspaper. Kenyan leaders try and condemn homosexuality in order to discourage the African peoples from perceiving homosexuality as acceptable.
The government regards homosexuality as a “plague”. During an agricultural show in Kenya’s capital Nairobi President Daniel Arap Moi announced that people should protect themselves against dangerous practices such as homosexuality. "I will not shy away from warning Kenyans against the dangers of the scourge." Presidents of many other African counties such as Zimbabwe and Uganda are protesting themselves against gay acts. In Uganda, gay and lesbian people were rounded up for a commission and in Zimbabwe the president deemed the homosexual people of his country as being ‘lower than dogs and pigs’ Moi went on to say "It is not right that a man should go with another man or a woman with another woman. It is
When it came to differing views between western beliefs and the native point of view, one of the bigger problems was the conflict about contraception and stopping the spread of HIV and AIDS. Southern Africa, were the Dobe Ju’/hoansi subside, has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world. “[T] he world U/N. figures for June 2000 show a seropositive rate among adults of 19.54 percent in Namibia, 19.94 percent in South Africa, and a staggering 35.8 percent in Botswana (Lee 2003: 190).” Because of the epidemic the life expectancy in the area has also drastically dropped. Western medical professionals have made clear to most communities that condoms are the most effective protection from HIV/AIDs. Because of this many western clinics and organizations in Africa distribute condoms to the local people. Regardless of the
This paper discusses in detail the differences between two cultures that seem to have different histories and heritage, but are, in specific ways, similar to each other as well. These cultures are the American and Kenyan cultures, and their point of comparison and contrast would be on the issues of money and success and sex and marriage. The discussion that follows posits that American values about sex are more liberal because of they are more 'freely expressed' than in Kenyan culture; however, Kenyan views on marriage are considered more liberal in that they subsist to
A recent study by Graham et al (2013) in determining barriers to antiretroviral therapy for men who have sex with men in Coastal Kenya (MSM) found that MSM men and heterosexual men experienced poor weight gain and suboptimal CD 4 cell count (p<0.001 there is strong evidence of statistical significance however a p value greater than 0.05 would mean the result is not statistically significant (Finney, 2009). This article projects a vigorous analysis of statistical data collected and the correlation of the data using p values, thus proving the findings for the study to be reliable and dependable.
Despite the government’s best efforts to downplay the HIV epidemic that was beginning in South Africa, the disease began to spread throughout the general population in the late 1980s. In 1988, cases of seroconversion started to appear in individuals outside of the MSM community; each year, between 1988 and 1994, saw a doubling of HIV prevalence. As of 1990, the dominant mode of transmission for HIV switched from homosexual to heterosexual intercourse, creating an epidemic among the citizens of South Africa. At the same time, the rate of mother-to-child transmission was on the rise. Throughout the escalation of the HIV epidemic in South Africa, the apartheid government took a hard line stance on HIV and AIDS, calling it a ‘black disease’ and refusing to invest resources to combat the spate. Rather, it continued to use fear tactics and stereotyping to reinforce the ‘typical’ HIV-infected individual, targeting MSM and black populations in country-wide campaigns. Any attempts at preventing the spread of disease were usually thwarted by a lack of infrastructure in the local governments and provinces, with each area attempting a different strategy to combat HIV infection.
One negative consequence of globalization: The alienation of African secular culture in relation to dating and sex.
Chief Wimbe becomes ill soon after and passes away. Hundreds mourn his death and dance over his gravesite. The people believe that the election of Bingu Wa Mutharika will bring better times for the local farmers. At the same time William estimates that twenty percent of Malawian’s have HIV and witches charge outrageous
A New York Times by Rachel Cernansky article explains the steps that some African and Asian nations, specifically Kenyans are doing to better their
Today, there are many stereotypes surrounding African countries that are widely circulated in Western society. Genital mutilation, infanticide, rape, and other horrific incidents are associated with this continent. When discussing exemplary feminist behavior, or the “proper” treatment of women, Westerners are not likely to cite Africa as an example. Africa is not only seen negatively in regards to how they threat their women; this continent is also known for shunning LGBTQ+ members and intersex individuals. “Shame, taboo, ignorance: Growing up intersex,” a recent CNN article written by Briana Duggan, discusses some of the issues intersex and LGBTQ people face in Kenya. The article interviews an intersex man named Ryan Muiruri, who was raised
Same sex or gay marriage is a topic that is always in the news these days. Well, a recent Supreme Court case's decision was to legalize this type of marriage here in the US. This essay will give a brief history of same sex marriages, summarize the legal reasoning of both the majority and dissent in the Supreme Court Decision and even evaluate how the media interpreted the decision.
The documentary God Loves Uganda is about the effects American evangelicals have on Uganda, when preaching their values. These missionaries do everything in their power to eliminate sexual sin. In this documentary, there are interviews with some of Uganda’s most powerful, their enemies, local priests and bishops. All of which have strong opinions about the anti-homosexuality bill. The director, Roger Ross Williams grew up in a Christian
For instance, the trend towards criminalization of homosexuality in most African countries is predicated on the prohibition of such sexual orientation and practice by Christianity and Islamic religions.
In the past when I would think of Kenya I would think of wild animals, African tribes, and AIDS. When I met Wanjiku an international student from Kenya she told me many things about the culture of her country. I know from talking and working with her that they value friendship and believe in hard work.
The paper seeks to understand the political, social and cultural variables that have thrown Kenya into the geo-political limelight insofar as the so-called ‘War on Terrorism’ is
In the African community your stance on homosexuality is influenced by the church, you either do not talk about it or you condemn it completely. In 2004 Africa's Anglican archbishops vowed not to accept any donations from Western churches that support the ordination of gay priests. Even though most churches in Africa depend on this funding from the West they continue to deny assistance. To be gay and black in Africa often means that you must step into and out of the closet depending on the social and
The same-sex marriage issue has ignited worldwide. Joseph Chamie- the previous director- and Barry Mirkin-the previous Population Policy Section Chief- of the UN’s Population Division aim to present up-to-date statistics and information on the same-sex marriage debate in “Same-Sex Marriage: A New Social Phenomenon.” They mention that same-sex marriage is a “recent phenomenon” that will possibly stick around for years in many countries because societal, religious, and legislative controversies continually revamp its debate (544). The issue is labeled “recent” because “…SSM [same-sex marriage] did not exist until the twenty-first century when an increasing number of countries began permitting same-sex