Kenneth Macharia is fighting to remain in United Kingdom (UK) after his request for asylum was rejected by the Home Office.
Macharia, who plays rugby for Bristol Bisons RFC, is openly gay. The Kenyan is currently being detained at Colnbrook immigration centre near Heathrow airport pending deportation.
His team expressed their worry of losing one of their on in a statement on Twitter. They have since launched a social media campaign in an attempt to force the Home Office to reverse the decision.
“His commitment to the ethos of rugby and inclusive gay rugby is second to none. We are at risk of losing one of the herd,” Bristol Bisons tweeted in one tweet.
Prosecution
The rugby teams fears that Kenneth Macharia will be prosecuted in Kenya for being gay. Homosexual acts are illegal in the country and punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
But the prosecution of members of LGBT community rarely happens, Kenya has several openly gay and lesbian celebrities like Joji Baro who have not been prosecuted.
With heavy hearts we are sharing the news that one of our members has been detained pending deportation from the UK.
Kenneth Macharia has had his request for asylum rejected and now risks being deported to Kenya, fearful of persecution and violence in Kenya because he is gay. pic.twitter.com/qySfq3XUAy
— Bristol Bisons RFC (@bisonsrfc) November 18, 2018