Machogu: Ministry is working with churches to curb LGBTQ

Ezekiel Machogu, Education Cabinet Secretary has revealed that the ministry is working with religious leaders to offer guidance and counselling to students.

Machogu said all learners will be taken through counselling sessions.

“We have a committee between the ministry and church, it is headed by Ole Sapit. We had a meeting three weeks ago,” Machogu said.

He spoke when he appeared before the Senate Education Committee.

The concerns were raised by Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda on whether students are aware of the community.

Mutinda said in one of her endeavours she was shocked that some students don’t know what LGBTQ is.

“As the ministry, you can see how to create awareness. The other day one student asked me what LGBTQ is,” Mutinda said.

Machogu said the ministry is working to ensure the community does not find its way into the education system.

“We will introduce chaplains in every school to offer guidance and counselling,” he said.

National Parents Association chairperson Silas Obuhatsa last week said if legally adopted, content leaning towards LGBTQ will find its way into the curriculum.

In a statement to media houses, Obuhatsa said children are too inferior to defend themselves from such laws.

"Our education sector will have definitely lost meaning since the dangerous vice will end up finding its way into the curriculum of our children," Obuhatsa said.

The parents' representative joins leaders and politicians who boldly rejected the move following a supreme court ruling in February.

Supreme Court judges said it would be unconstitutional to limit the right to associate through denial of registration of an association purely on the basis of the sexual orientation of the applicants.

"It would be unconstitutional to limit the right to associate through denial of registration of an association purely on the basis of the sexual orientation of the applicants," the court ruled.

But Obuhatsa asked relevant government leaders to ensure the law does not make it to the constitution.

"The president should remain firm and make sure that this law is not allowed because it will put a bad Mark on his leadership," he said.