Following her participation in the first ever tv discussion on homosexuality in Kenya, broadcast 23 August 8 pm, defender of sexual minorities´ rights Pouline Kimani, right, who featured on the programme, has been verbally abused, chased by people wanting to attack her and received written threats. Below is her story, as told in a recent letter and published with her permission. (09-SEP-08) 

LGBTI rainbow flag.jpgPauline Kimani´s letter has been edited and prepared for publication here by HRHF / Niels Jacob Harbitz.

Dear all,
 
I am writing to inform you of the recent attacks directed to me as a result of a media appearance on a talk show dubbed ´Homosexuality in Kenya´ aired on a television channel called CITIZEN T.V.
 
On 23 August at 8.00 pm, members of the religious fraternity (muslim and christian leaders) together with members of the gay and lesbian community took part in a discussion on homosexuality as it exists in kenya. Since then, I noticed that my neighbours´ attitude changed towards me, with some of them making very rude comments about how they don´t feel safe anymore if the estate will allow people like us to be there.

Having dealth with worse than that, I initially ignored the comments. Before the show aired, I had reported incidents where someone kept calling from a private number with insults and death threats, but my mobile net provider only advised me to record the conversations and get the police to track these calls, something I will follow up now.

On 25 August, however, while going to work in the morning, I was approached by two men who claimed to know me, having seen me on tv the past Saturday. The two tried to engage me in conversation, but when I adamantly refused to talk to them, two more of their friends came and were told by the two first ones about the show and how I had talked in support of homosexuals. All this time they were coming closer to where I was waiting for the bus and I was alarmed. Trying to avoid the talk, I moved further, but one of them grabbed me by the hand while asking how I can want for homosexuals to have any rights in Kenya. By this time a bus came and the pressure of the crowd rushing for the bus broke the circle the men had made around me, to make it possible for me to rush onto the bus.
 
A few days later, on 1 September, on my way home from the office, I got off the bus and was on a long phone-call. Less bothered by a group of men who sat at the entrance to my neighbourhood, I walked past them. It was quite dark and the street lights had still not been switched on but the lighting from passing cars was enough for someone to recognise faces. One of the men shouted to his friends in swahili ´there is the homosexual girl´. I ignored it, but walked on hurriedly. After about a hundred metres, I realised that the men were running after me screaming insulting words and taunting me with threats to teach me how to enjoy penile penetration with real men. On realising he risk, I took to my heels and luckily managed to run past the guard at the main entrance and over my house gate to the safety of my house. I made several calls to inform my colleagues of the incident.

This morning (2 September), while I went out for a cigarette at around 5am, I noticed a brown envelope with my name on under the gate. On opening it, i found three pieces of paper expressing the sentiments of the senders. I have reported the matter to the police and also to Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), who provided a lawyer to take me to the police. KHRC has also taken me on as an intern. Even though the police did not seem in any rush to follow up on my case, they have asked me to come back tomorrow. Right now, I do not feel safe going back to my house. Instead, at least for tonight, I will stay at a friend´s.
 
—
In solidarity, Pouline Kimani, Human rights defender.
Gay And Lesbian Coalition of Kenya.
poul85@gmail.com