Intersex Are People Too

 By Evelyn Njoroge

Dr Wamalwa on his appointment as the KNCHR commissioner.

Intersex people are people whose genitals or reproductive organs don't fit the male or female binary.

In 2019 Kenya became the first African country to recognize intersex people in its census. The census recorded 1,524 intersex persons, the oldest being 92. However, there is increasing evidence that the number might be higher and the low number documented during the 2019 census could be pinned on stigma, fear and shame brought by the condition. Because of this, most prefer to conceal their identities. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) in the past, thousands of Kenyans born with intersex conditions continue to suffer in silence

The National Assembly approved Dr.Dennis Wamalwa's nomination as the KNCHR commissioner three years after the census. He became the first intersex person to hold a state job. Dr. Dennis Wamalwa is a board member and the vice chairperson of the intersex persons society in Kenya.

In May 2017, the then Attorney General formed the task force on policy legal, institutional and Administrative reforms regarding intersex persons. The task force consisted of representatives from different institutions including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The task force was tasked with compiling comprehensive data regarding the number of intersex people, the distribution and the challenges they face, and the care, treatment and protection of intersex people.

The task force also looked into the existing laws and policies of medical structures governing intersex persons. Upon completing the research, the team filed a report recommending short and long-term reforms that will ensure the protection of intersex people. However, intersex people suffer in silence like Ruth Mwihaki born a girl, grew up to be a boy Ryan Muiruri has had to fight off stigma, abuse and suicide to prove that he is indeed male.

Ryan Muiruri Wangui or Ruth Mwihaki Wangui has lived a tough life as an intersex person in Kenya. He was born and raised as a girl but began breaking his voice and had more male features than female ones as puberty hit. The plight of intersex persons is more like when Ryan had to explain to a bank teller that he is Ruth because her details did not match her more male-like appearance. He had visited a bank to open an account after his friend sent him money from France and wanted to deposit it.

The Intersex Bill 2023 drafted by KNCHR made a wise decision in making the intersex a third sex maker in Kenya also proposing that there should be gender-neutral uniforms and washrooms. This will encourage and help in creating awareness of intersex people who feel left out, unrecognised, stigmatised and discriminated making them feel appreciated and it's just a biological condition.

Intersex is a biological condition where we should create awareness of understanding that this is normal and treat them equally as the rest. This will encourage them and make them want to associate with the rest and feel appreciated.