PLAYERS from a gay rugby team are calling on the media, human rights organisations and supporters to join their protest outside a Bristol police station on Thursday after one of their players had his asylum application rejected and was ordered to report to the police.

The Home Office today rejected the asylum claim of Bristol Bisons player Ken Macharia, a 39-year-old gay man from Kenya who has lived in Britain since 2009 and fears prosecution in his home country because of his sexuality.  

It is with a heavy heart that Kenneth received this letter from the home office today and has been told he will not be allowed to stay home in the UK. The fight is not over and we need your support to keep Ken home with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/tGm8txAgaD

— Bristol Bisons RFC (@bisonsrfc) June 3, 2019

Being homosexual is not a criminal offence in Kenya but the country’s penal code, which it inherited from British colonial rule, does criminalises gay sex. 

Section 162 outlaws “carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature.”

Mr Macharia received a letter from the Home Office today stating: “You have no basis to stay in the United Kingdom and you are expected to make arrangements to leave the United Kingdom without delay.”

The letter ordered Mr Macharia to sign in at Bristol’s Bridgewater Police Station on Thursday, 11am. 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, however, advises British passport holders that “public displays of homosexuality, like holding hands or kissing in public places, could lead to arrest and imprisonment.”

Teammate Andrew Holmes called on the over 105,000 people who signed his online petition to halt Mr Macharia’s deportation to tweet Home Secretary and Tory Party leadership candidate Sajid Javid to reverse his decision. 

“He has the authority to step in and secure Ken’s safety here in the UK, and to prevent his persecution in Kenya,” Mr Holmes wrote. 

“Ken’s fate is in his hands: encourage Sajid Javid to make the right decision! #KeepKenHome.”

Bristol Bison’s captain Murray Jones told the Star that Mr Macharia and the team were devasted by the Home Office’s decision.  

“We’ve been through all of this before in November. It’s been an emotional roller coaster. 

“The Home Office has pushed the reset button on Ken’s case but we’re determined to fight this again. 

“Ken has been severely depressed by all of this. The Home Office is now just messing with the poor guy. 

“You know, he’s been fighting to stay here for nine years. His mum lives here. He can’t work or do anything here.

“The Home Office has been waiting for a time to pass this under the rug, to sneak it out when no-one’s looking. [US President Donald] Trump’s here and everyone’s paying attention to that. 

“The team is planning to go with Ken to Bridgewater at 11am this Thursday and we want to get as many people there to support him as we can. 

“We think they’re going to detain him there. 

“We want media, supporting organisations, anyone to come along and support him.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “This government has a proud record of providing protection for asylum-seekers fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“All available evidence is carefully and sensitively considered in light of published country information.

“All decisions on claims based on sexual orientation are subject to an additional safeguard reviewed by a second experienced caseworker.”

To keep up to date with the Bristol Bisons and Mr Macharia’s battle against deportation on social media, follow #KeepKenHome.