Gay Kenyan Rugby Player In 'Limbo' Over Deportation From UK

20th May 2019 - by SPN Correspondent

Bristol Bisons RFC's Kenneth Macharia fighting extradition to his country of birth where homosexuality is punishable by law, petitions Home Office minister Sajid Javid to intervene

Bristol Bisons RFC player, Kenneth Macharia. PHOTO/Courtesy/Bristol Post

SUMMARY

The player has not been working for nearly a year after the Home Office started considering his case
Macharia was granted bail from an immigration centre in November after more than 100,000 people signed a petition to stop him from being deported
In his petition to Javid, the Kenyan urged the minister to "really show the UK does live up to what it claims to be as a country that protects human rights"

BRISTOL, United Kingdom- Kenneth Macharia, the gay rugby player fighting deportation back to his homeland from the United Kingdom has called on British Home Secretary Sajid Javid to intervene in his drawn out case.

The BBC website reported on Monday that the Bristol Bisons RFC player is in ‘limbo’ due to the delay in his challenge against deportation from England.

"Before I started this process I was thinking the UK is a champion of human rights. But I was surprised by the treatment I received.

“It was extremely hostile. They do everything they can to make it really difficult to apply for asylum,” the reported quoted Macharia saying.

He is fighting repatriation to his home nation where homosexuality if proscribed with culprits facing jail term of up to 14 years.

The player has not been working for nearly a year after the Home Office started considering his case.

Sexual orientation

"This government has a proud record of providing protection for asylum seekers fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

"All available evidence is carefully and sensitively considered... all decisions on claims based on sexual orientation are reviewed by a second experienced caseworker,” the Home Office told the BBC.

Macharia was granted bail from an immigration centre in November after more than 100,000 people signed a petition to stop him from being deported.

In his petition to Javid, the Kenyan urged the minister to "really show the UK does live up to what it claims to be as a country that protects human rights".

-Material from the BBC has been used to compile this report. The original article can be found here