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United Kingdom authorities have rejected Kenyan gay rugby player Kenneth Macharia's asylum bid.
In his application for asylum, the 39-year-old Bristol Bisons player cited fears of persecution if he returned to Kenya, where homosexuality is illegal.
Macharia received a letter from the UK Home Office notifying him that his application had been rejected.
"No evidence has been submitted to show that you will be singled out and persecuted by the authorities in Kenya as a result of your case being reported in the media," the Home Office noted.
It added: “Whilst same-sexual activity between men has been criminalized with a penalty of up to 21 years in prison this law is rarely applied and the objective evidence does not establish that LGBT persons are likely to be subjected to persecution or serious harm.”
The letter asked Macharia to make arrangements to leave the country without delay. He was also asked to report to Bridgwater police station on Thursday.
Speaking after receiving the letter, Macharia said: "I'm absolutely depressed. My team-mates have been extremely supportive. I'm hoping nothing will happen [on Thursday] but I'm fearful I will be detained."
Macharia, a mechanical engineer, has been living in the UK since 2009 and got employed through his work visa before joining Bristol Bisons RFC in 2015. 📎 ... CRITIC ALSO 🖋️ 📜 🗺️ 😂 ... spill TEA ☕ Easy on Shade 💣 🖋️ 📜 COMMENT BELOW
In his application for asylum, the 39-year-old Bristol Bisons player cited fears of persecution if he returned to Kenya, where homosexuality is illegal.
Macharia received a letter from the UK Home Office notifying him that his application had been rejected.
"No evidence has been submitted to show that you will be singled out and persecuted by the authorities in Kenya as a result of your case being reported in the media," the Home Office noted.
It added: “Whilst same-sexual activity between men has been criminalized with a penalty of up to 21 years in prison this law is rarely applied and the objective evidence does not establish that LGBT persons are likely to be subjected to persecution or serious harm.”
The letter asked Macharia to make arrangements to leave the country without delay. He was also asked to report to Bridgwater police station on Thursday.
Speaking after receiving the letter, Macharia said: "I'm absolutely depressed. My team-mates have been extremely supportive. I'm hoping nothing will happen [on Thursday] but I'm fearful I will be detained."
Macharia, a mechanical engineer, has been living in the UK since 2009 and got employed through his work visa before joining Bristol Bisons RFC in 2015. 📎 ... CRITIC ALSO 🖋️ 📜 🗺️ 😂 ... spill TEA ☕ Easy on Shade 💣 🖋️ 📜 COMMENT BELOW
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