The Bristol Bisons RFC and Bison Kenneth ‘Ken’ Macharia have been presented an Attitude Pride Award for the work done to prevent Ken from being sent to Kenya.
Ken, originally from Kenya, has been living in the Bristol area for a decade having come to the West Country to study for a Masters in 2009. Ken joined the Bisons in 2017, becoming an integral part of the herd.
Since 2019, Ken has been locked in a battle with Home Office as they refused to renew his work visa. Faced with the threat of being sent to Kenya – where homosexual acts between two men are punished by up to 14 years in prison – Ken claimed asylum in the UK.
In November 2018, Ken was detailed by the Home Office and threatened with removal. Since that Thursday in November, the Bristol Bisons have campaigned for Ken to receive asylum in the UK
The Attitude Pride Award recognises the work which has been done to #KeepKenHome. On receiving the award, club Chairman, Philip Rogerson said: “It is great to receive recognition and support for the campaign, but we can’t accept it without extending a massive thank you to everyone else who has shared, shouted and marched with us so far”.
Read more about the award and Ken’s story.
Photos courtesy of Attitude Magazine.
