Kenya’s Parliament Speaker Urges Conference on Family Delegates to “harness collective strength” to protect Family Unit

Hon. Wetang’ula warned that current socio-economic and ideological shifts pose “the most formidable tests” to the institution of the family, ranging from abortion advocacy and comprehensive sexuality education to efforts to redefine marriage.

Calling family promotion “an investment in national development and prosperity,” he said strong families lead to productive citizens, reduced social burdens, and national stability.

“Promoting family values is therefore not just a moral or cultural imperative. But also an investment in national development,” the Speaker further said.

Credit: ACPF

In the speech that was read out by the Member of Parliament for Homabay Town Constituency, Hon. Peter Opondo Kaluma, Hon. Wetang’ula outlined Kenya’s constitutional provisions and legal statutes that protect the family.

Rejecting Western definitions of marriage and gender, Hon. Wetang'ula said, “A marriage is between people of opposite sex, and it is biological sex. Not that which you call gender.”

He encouraged African legislators to stand firm against global pressures to legalize same-sex unions or normalize LGBTQ ideologies.

Credit: ACPF

“Legislate to protect our good family cultural values and prohibit the imposition of foreign cultures on Africa,” the Speaker said.

The Speaker faulted the influence of foreign governments and donors in promoting what he called “anti-family ideologies.”

“One of our own, Barack Obama, among the first executive orders he signed was one obligating all bodies granting any funding to condition it to recognizing LGBTQ as human rights and undertaking to promote it,” he said in reference to former US President Barack Obama.

Credit: ACPF

The Speaker emphasized, “We will not ratify such treaties.”

He encouraged delegates attending the PACFV conference to form a united front across the continent to resist these threats and promote laws and policies that uphold the natural family.

“I counsel the pro-family team to be united, share information and knowledge, and experiences, and to harness their collective strength to promote policies and laws that recognize, protect, and strengthen the family unit,” Hon. Wetang’ula said.

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Credit: ACPF

He added, “Let us rise from this conference not only with new solutions but with renewed conviction. Let us make this pan-African movement a beacon of hope not only for Africa but for the world.”

“By protecting our families, we are securing our future and preserving the future of humankind,” Hon. Wetang’ula said.

The five-day event is to feature a three-day ACPF Family Conference from May 12 to 14, a joint celebration of the International Day of Families (IDOF) with the Government of Kenya on May 15 at Strathmore University, and a Family Symposium with the Church on May 16.