Gays in Kenya: Prominent author Binyavanga Wainaina plans to marry his long-time partner in a wedding set for early next year in South Africa.
Wainaina is the most outspoken among gays in Kenya.
This is the news that has left social media abuzz, with mixed reactions from ordinary citizens. Since declaring that he is homosexual, Binyavanga’s life has been marked by controversy.
Binyavanga disclosed that he proposed two weeks ago and the two will tie the knot in South Africa where the law allows for same-sex marriage.
“I knelt down and asked my love for his hand in marriage two weeks ago. He said YES. We will be married in South Africa early next year. I am beside myself with excitement that he has agreed to spend the rest of his life with me.” He tweeted.
He added that his Nigerian lover said yes to his proposal almost immediately. “He said yes, nearly immediately. He is Nigerian. We will be living in South Africa, where he will be studying next year. We will get married there, early next year. We will have a reception for Kenyans in Nairobi sometime next year too.”
“Nobody, nobody, ever in my life has heard this. I am a homosexual, mum,” Binyavanga wrote in a confession subtitled “A Lost Chapter”, in the book One Day I Will Write About This Place.
The confession in January 2014 marked the beginning of a life of ups and downs for the 47-year-old founder of literary magazine Kwani? who became one of the most prominent anf outspoke gays in Kenya.
Despite being one of the most prominent gays in Kenya, in 2002, at 31, Binyavanga received international fame after winning the prestigious Caine Prize for his short story Discovering Home .
