National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) says there is an increased experience on social media sites or dating apps of being “catfished” – as using a fake identity to lure someone online is known – by people intending to extort money is common among members of the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya. With section 162 of the colonial-era penal code criminalising sexual acts deemed “unnatural”, there are fertile grounds for the practice to thrive. Activists want social media companies to take action to stamp out the extortion. Njeri Gateru, executive director of NGLHRC, says: “The existence of laws that criminalise homosexuality create a landscape where anyone attracted to someone of the same gender is seen to belong to a lesser place in society, and as a criminal. That creates room for people to take advantage of queer individuals.” According to Gateru, cases of blackmail and extortion are increasing, methods are becoming more sophisticated, and while this type of crime used to be limited to Nairobi, it has now spread to other areas of the country.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
More Stories
Establishing Manufacturing Nodes across the Continent and Leveraging on the AfCFTA
The Agritech Innovators Bringing Transformative Change to the Continent’s Green Economy
Women in Nigeria Lead the Charge in Plastic Waste Innovation
Tunisia’s President is Looking for Ways to Avoid a Bailout Package Worth nearly $2bn
A Decision that Brought Lagos to a Standstill
The European Union Engages African Nations to Secure the Supply of Vital Battery Minerals
The Unintended Consequence of Lusaka’s Decision to Allow Partial Withdrawal of Pensions
Ghana’s Economy and its IMF Engagements
Addis Ababa is Likely to Require a more Comprehensive Package of Debt Restructuring
Kenya’s Central Bank Parks Digital Currency Talk
One of Africa’s Most-celebrated Authors and Playwrights has Died Aged 81
Ethiopian Airliner Accused of Discrimination