Bristol rugby players fight to prevent gay teammate's deportation

Rugby players in Bristol are fighting to prevent a clubmate whose claim for asylum has been rejected from being deported to Kenya because they fear he will face persecution there for being gay.

Kenneth Macharia, a member of Bristol Bisons, a gay and inclusive rugby club, is being detained at Colnbrook immigration centre near Heathrow airport. He texted members of the club for help, and they are calling on the home secretary, Sajid Javid, to intervene.

The club said: “Ken’s story is yet another example of the Home Office ignoring the risks that LGBT people face in multiple countries around the world. We are providing support for Ken at this challenging time, hoping he will not be removed from the UK to continue his life here. Deporting Ken from the UK will mean that he is unable to see his mother who lives in Bristol.”

A petition against the deportation has been launched on Change.org by one of Macharia’s clubmates, Andrew Holmes. He said: “The Home Office rejected his asylum application and his appeal because they deem Kenya to be safe for gay people, in spite of the persecution of gay people.”

Macharia, of Shepton Mallet, has lived in the UK since 2009 and had a work visa, according to teammates. He joined the Bisons in 2015 and as well as playing on the team he is also a match photographer and first-aider.

“Ken is an integral part of our rugby family at Bristol Bisons RFC. His commitment to the ethos of rugby and to our team is second to none,” Holmes said. “Our team would not be the same without his warm character. Deporting a good, hard-working gay man to a country where homophobic violence and imprisonment is rife is immoral and unjust and should be stopped.”

Bristol Bisons bill themselves as “the south-west’s only inclusive and gay-friendly rugby team”, offering an “open and welcoming environment to players and supporters of all abilities and backgrounds regardless of sexuality”.

The Home Office said it could not comment on the individual case. A spokesperson said: “This government has a proud record of providing protection for asylum seekers fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and the UK remains a world leader in its approach to handling this type of asylum claim.

“We are committed to delivering an asylum process that is sensitive to all forms of persecution, including those based on sexual identity or orientation. We have a robust assurance mechanism which involves considering all available evidence in light of published country-specific information.”

In Kenya, gay sex is punishable by up to 14 years in jail. In recent years, however, campaigners for lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender rights have become increasingly vocal.