During the course of President Obama's visit to Kenya—his father's homeland—there was one issue where Obama bristled noticeably with government officials there. Appearing jointly with Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, Obama was adamant that protecting the rights of LGBTQ citizens was a vital part of a democracy.
Kenyatta rebuffed the question, saying that in Kenya gay rights is "not an issue."
The message seemed seemed to fall on Kenyatta's deaf ears. But for other Kenyans, hearing that message from such a powerful figure—and one with such close family ties to Kenya—may alter the dialog about LGBTQ rights in Kenya and even Africa more broadly, said Charles Sennott, head of The GroundTruth Project.
"I think it's a real challenge to a very traditional society in Kenya to hear this man, President Obama, who presents this idea," said Sennott.
"To hear the president of the United States, with Kenyan roots, to come out clearly and say, 'you should not be persecuted and prosecuted for who you love' is a very powerful and resonant statement much needed in Kenya," Sennott continued.
To hear more from Charles Sennott, tune in to Boston Public Radio above.
