Essay: A Most Difficult Life- Prejudice Takes on a New Meaning in Africa

Tony W. Njoroge shares a poignant essay about love and loss, its various forms and how the real meaning of love never changes despite how people see it.

Content Warning: This piece discusses homophobia, discrimination, and hate speech directed at LGBTQ+ people in Africa. It includes depictions of social and familial rejection, historical references to medical abuse, and job loss due to sexual orientation. It directly references suicide. Readers who may be affected by these themes are encouraged to engage with care. 

Homosexuality is a hot button in Africa today. Much of the fervour, however, is fueled by demagogic politicians who want to distract their subjects from the real issues that matter, like the runaway corruption and nepotism. Many politicians today are in office because they are riding high on the rampant homophobia they’ve created and stoked. Some use phrases such as “Homosexuals are more lethal than all natural disasters put together,” and then go ahead to implement draconian laws such as life imprisonment. 

Not long ago, it used to be tribal politics that ruled in the war of “us” against “them.” If they take office they will steal our cattle, land and wives. We as a tribe need to pull together to keep them at bay. Today, however, tribalism is highly frowned upon in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa. Publicly denouncing another tribe can be considered hate speech. Consequently, our leaders have sought and found a new target, another group everyone can hate or see as less human – a common evil that can mobilize the masses. It was Anton Chekhov, the short story writer I most revere, who said that love, friendship and respect do not unite a people as much as a common hatred for something.