Kenya plays a host to many refugees from the East African region in both urban centres and in the camps. Over the past decade, there has been an influx of LGBTIQ refugees from across the boarders and in particular Uganda, which came to the global map in 2014 with the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014.

In light of the above, asylum seekers from Uganda in most cases are presumed to be facing threats and thus granted refugee status automatically. On the other hand, the rest of LGBTIQ from the Great lakes region are always put to strict proof regardless of the fact that they are facing the same persecution as the Ugandans.

Further, refugees from Uganda are always given preferential treatment since they can easily express themselves in English, which is the main working language in UNHCR-Kenya, whereas the rest of the refugees from DRC, Burundi and Rwanda generally do not speak English.

Other forms of this preferential treatment can be seen in expeditious resettlement of Uganda LGBTIQ refugees, issuance of documents ahead of the rest, disbursement of more funds to Community Based Organizations managed by Ugandans and generally better treatment accorded to Ugandan LGBTIQ refugees in offices.

The rest of the refugees form the LGBTIQ community have been forced to struggle with minimal assistance both financial and psycho social. Some have been accused of faking their LGBTIQ status and even branded homophobic.

The above actions have created the feeling of inequality, tension, discord, hatred and distrust among the two factions. The net effect of this is that the favoured group has ostracised the rest and tend to work and share resources amongst themselves.

The LGBTIQ refugee community strongly feel that this problem is mainly contributed to by UNHCR and Refugee Affairs Secretariat who continue to perpetuate the apparent discrimination and it is time this was addressed.