30/07/2021
Ken Macharia, who plays with Bristol based gay rugby team The Bisons says that he cannot fully believe that his ordeal of a campaign to stay in the UK is finally over, after an announcement by the Home Office that they will not appeal a court ruling that Mr Macharia can stay in the country. Mr Macharia originally comes from Kenya where he says he was at threat of persecution and physical violence for being a gay man. Bristol's LGBTQIA and POC communities rallied behind Mr Macharia and over one hundred and eighty thousand people signed a petition calling on authorities to let him live in the UK without threat of deportation. The forty one year old player told the B247 newspaper that the toll of his battle has had an affect on his mental health. To the many who supported him, Mr Macharia said “Thanks to each and everyone of you. It will take me a bit of time to truly believe this nightmare is over and be at the same level of enthusiasm as you.”
