A public art installation featuring a rainbow-colored staircase near Nairobi's University has ignited a national debate over LGBTQ+ visibility in Kenya, where homosexual acts remain illegal under criminal law.
The 14-year prison sentence for same-sex relationships contrasts with the recent emergence of the artwork, which was created by artists participating in the Franco-Kenyan Switch-a-Roo cultural exchange program. The project aims to bring art to underserved communities through collaborative street painting initiatives.
While organizers describe the installation as a 'stairway to heaven,' critics argue the rainbow motif implicitly promotes homosexuality. One social media user warned that embracing 'gay-pride colors' constitutes 'mental conditioning' to normalize queer identities, despite legal restrictions.
Supporters counter that the artwork merely adds vibrancy to urban spaces, with one commenter stating, 'A little color is added to brighten Nairobi and all of a sudden your little homophobic egos can't stand it.' The Kenyan High Court is scheduled to rule on the decriminalization of gay sex in May, adding urgency to the public discourse.
The installation is part of a broader series of community art projects in Nairobi's Kibera and Mathare slums, where artists have previously transformed neglected spaces through mural collaborations.
