They are forced into ‘straight’ relationships to navigate the conservative world of the police force.
Being a cop is tough, being a gay cop is tougher.
"Life in the closet is hell and I hope to one day be able to express my love my partner openly without any fear,” says Jamo Kamau (not his real name), a gay cop who joined the force 12 years ago.
As a teenager, Kamau realised he was attracted to boys not girls but suppressed his feelings. It was only after he was sexually assaulted by a police offer while he was a 20-year-old trainee that he came to terms with his sexual orientation.
As a teenager, Kamau realised he was attracted to boys not girls but suppressed his feelings. It was only after he was sexually assaulted by a police offer while he was a 20-year-old trainee that he came to terms with his sexual orientation.
In his third week in college, he started getting favours including boots and new uniform from a senior officer. He was soon to learn why the officer paid him special attention. Two month into the training, the officer requested Kamau to accompany him to a secluded place at the training camp. “You are the ‘hottest’ dude I have ever seen, if you don't mind I want you to be my long-term partner not a ‘fuck mate’," the officer told him as he drew closer and suggestively reached for his lips.
Kamau was confused because he read that only white people were in same-sex relationships.
He tried to wrestle free but the officer drew his gun and he gave in. After the traumatising experience, Kamau threatened t to report his tormentor but the officer later sought him out in the company of four colleagues and showered him with gifts. Before leaving they threatened to shot him should if he revealed the incident to anyone.
He tried to wrestle free but the officer drew his gun and he gave in. After the traumatising experience, Kamau threatened t to report his tormentor but the officer later sought him out in the company of four colleagues and showered him with gifts. Before leaving they threatened to shot him should if he revealed the incident to anyone.
Ironically the traumatic incident made him confront the feelings he had suppressed since high school.
“I never did it again in college but for sure missed it,” he says giggling.
After graduation he was deployed to upper eastern where he met his first partner, a gay cop. Kamau admits he has had short lived relationships with other gay cops.
He says his experiences enable him to deal sensitively with sodomy cases.
After graduation he was deployed to upper eastern where he met his first partner, a gay cop. Kamau admits he has had short lived relationships with other gay cops.
He says his experiences enable him to deal sensitively with sodomy cases.
Ken Mutinda (not his real name) is another police officer who realised he was gay in college. As a 19-year-old trainee he experienced “some strange feelings” but did not act on them. His colleagues often referred to him as a woman due to his feminine characteristics which he says he wasn't aware of. Others called him “homo”.
But this all changed during his third month in college when an officer who always treated him harshly approached him and reassigned him some duties around the house. After a few minutes he invited Mutinda into the house for coffee and to watch a movie. By "coincidence” it was a gay movie. “We watched for a few minutes before he ejected it from the DVD player and asked my opinion about homos. Kila nyani kwa starehe zake. (Every person has his own taste)," Mutinda replied. The officers replayed the movie which they watched as they cuddled. “From then we ‘dated’ and had quickies whenever the situation presented itself.” Mutinda says the force is very conservative. “I often date women to fit in and live up to the stereotype that a policeman’s life is about, money, beer and ladies.
Unlike Kamau and Mutinda who were confused about their orientation Mark Baraza was a gay activist when he joined the police at age 25. But in college the strict rules made him hide his preference and date women.
Today he is married with a child, to cover up that he is gay. “It’s just a cover up. I am not bi-sexual,” he says.
Kamau is concerned that young gay men lack discipline and blackmail their married partners. His marriage is now in trouble after his ex-partner revealed his identity to his wife after a break up. His wife created an account masquerading as an interested gay man. He fell for the trap and had to reveal the truth to his wife. He now fears she might leave him taking their child with him.
Kamau is concerned that young gay men lack discipline and blackmail their married partners. His marriage is now in trouble after his ex-partner revealed his identity to his wife after a break up. His wife created an account masquerading as an interested gay man. He fell for the trap and had to reveal the truth to his wife. He now fears she might leave him taking their child with him.
