About 30 LGBTI refugees received injuries in a violent attack after trying to rally for improved conditions at one of the world’s biggest refugee camps in Kenya .

The LGBTI refugees were trying to protest ongoing homophobic and transphobic attacks against them in the Kakuma Refugee camp. A group of unknown assailants violently beat one man the day before.

Mbazira Moses from LGBTI organization, Refugee Flag Kakuma, organized the protest on 11 December. He wanted to deliver a petition to the UNHCR (United Nations’ Refugee Agency) Kenya compound.

LGBTI refugee leader, Gisbon, told Gay Star News the petition called for greater protection of LGBTI refugees. But Kenyan police allegedly denied the group the right to organise a march to deliver the petition.

As the group descended on the compound the police and other began to allegedly assault them. Gibson said the violent assault started at midday and lasted for hours.

‘Moses was hit on the head, arms, legs and has a swollen face and joints,’ Gibson said.

‘The other injuries were head bleeding, sharp cuts on the arms, penis and testicles.’

A very injured Mbazira delivered an emotional video on Facebook. In it he claimed that the refugees were not given adequate medical care and instead were ‘dumped’ back in the refugee camp.

‘I’m feeling a lot of pain,’ he says in the video.

‘I was beaten as an animal… right now I can’t move.’

Another man also injured in the attack, joins Mbazira in the video and pleads to those watching.

‘See how they treat us because we are LGBTI and the way we look,’ he says.

Gibson said the LGBTI refugees were emotionally distraught after the attack.

‘There is tears and agony in the LGBTIQ refugee community,’ he said.

Refugee Flag Kakuma

The LGBTI refugees in Kakuma became known across the world for the throwing the first Pride parade and festival within a refugee camp.

But those festivities made them targets for homophobic and transphobic attacks. Mbazira has reported a spike in attacks on people at Kakuma because of the gender and/or sexual identity.

Mbazira had hoped to host a massive Christmas lunch for the LGBTI refugees, but it unclear if it is safe for the event to go ahead.

Gay Star News has reached out to UNHCR for comment.