Ben Cowles
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GAY rugby player and asylum-seeker Ken Macharia was not detained yesterday when he reported into Bridgewater police station as ordered to do so after the Home Office rejected his asylum claim.
Macharia has spent the last three years battling the Home Office to stay in Britain. Home Secretary Sajid Javid’s department, which recently updated its social media logos with the rainbow flag, appears determined to deport Macharia to Kenya, where people convicted of homosexual activity face up to 14 years in prison.
To the sound of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Am What I Am’ rugby player Ken Macharia flanked by his LGBTQ+ team @bisonsrfc arrives at a police centre. Ken’s been told he won’t be detained today but still faces being sent back to Kenya where being gay is illegal #C4News pic.twitter.com/GgEE9h9Vk1
— Minnie Stephenson (@MinnieStephC4) June 6, 2019
“With great relief we can confirm that Ken has successfully checked in without detention today,” tweeted his rugby team Bristol Bisons soon afterwards. “Thank you to everyone who shared our message and turned up to Bridgwater.
“The fight to #KeepKenHome is by no means over, so we can enjoy today’s victory and look toward the next step.”
Macharia arrived at the police station at 11am yesterday morning, accompanied by his teammates in their pink and black uniforms and around 60 supporters, while the manager of gay nightclub Queen Shilling, the team’s sponsor, blasted Gloria Gaynor’s “I Am What I Am” from a speaker.
On Monday, Macharia received a letter from the Home Office saying he has “no basis to stay in the United Kingdom” and that he was “expected to make arrangements to leave ... without delay.”
Bristol Bisons captain Murray Jones told the Star the team are all on eggshells.
“We are happy that Ken hasn't been detained today but he is still at risk of removal from the UK. The fight isn’t over.
“His case is due for judicial review and the legal costs are going to be high. Right now we need raise money to help Ken pay the fees.
“Our crowdfunding page is up, donations of any size will be enormously appreciated.
“Thank you for all your support so far.”
