Words: Steve Brown
A decision to deport a rugby player has been prevented after his teammates set up a campaign.
The Bristol Bisons – a gay and inclusive rugby team in Somerset – fought save teammate Kenneth ‘Ken’ Macharia from being deported despite having been in the UK since 2009 and worked through his visa.
A change.org page was set up and has received nearly 19,000 signatures but now, ITV have reported that the campaign to stop Ken – who feared he would be persecuted if he was deported back to Kenya due to his sexuality – from being deported has been successful.
While speaking to ITV News, Ken said: “I am deeply indebted to them. I’m extremely grateful. They are wonderful people.
“I am surprised they went into all this effort for me. I’m blushing right now. I would like to stay because I want to have a normal love life, I want to have a normal life, and I do not want to be forced to hide who I am.”
