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Rugby players attempt to stop gay teammate’s deportation
Teammates of a Bristol Bisons rugby player being detained at an immigration centre near Heathrow are fighting his deportation to Kenya, fearing that he will face persecution there for being gay.
Kenneth Macharia has lived in the UK since 2009 and had a work visa, according to teammates. He joined the Bisons – a gay and inclusive rugby team – in 2015 and as well as playing on the team he is also a match photographer and first-aider.
A petition started by a fellow player which had received more than 3,500 by Tuesday morning is calling on the home secretary, Sajid Javid, to intervene, and grant him asylum in the UK.
is needed now More than ever
In a statement, the club said that Ken’s story “is yet another example of the Home Office ignoring the risks that LGBT people face in multiple countries around the world”.
Writing on the petition, Andrew Holmes said: “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.
“He is an important part of our community, and regularly attends our matches across the country as our match photographer, and has also undertaken training to be our first aid medic. This is very typical of Ken’s nature – always wanting to help, and always being concerned for the well-being of other people.
“Ken is a quiet, kind, and caring person and he is one of the most loved people at our rugby club. 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.”
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