Nairobi , Kenya ( CNN ) -- Supporters and members of the gay and lesbian community in Kenya blasted the country 's prime minister Monday after he said anyone engaging in homosexual activity should be arrested . `` The gay community is very scared as the Prime Minister 's statement will incite more violence against visible gays , '' David Kuria , a spokesperson for the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya told CNN . Prime Minister Raila Odinga made the comments Sunday while attending a rally in the Kibera neighborhood of Nairobi . `` The constitution is very clear on this issue and men or women found engaging in homosexuality will not be spared , '' Odinga said during the rally . `` If we find a man engaging in homosexuality or a woman in lesbianism , we 'll arrest them and put them in jail , '' Odinga said . Homosexuality is a crime in Kenya and has a jail term of up to 14 years . The country 's new constitution disallows same-sex unions . Gay rights have been a source of contention in Kenya in the past . In February an armed group raided a government health center that provides HIV/AIDS services to the community . The group insisted they were trying to `` flush out the gays , '' according to a Human Rights Watch report . A spokesperson of the prime minister 's office , Dennis Onyango told CNN that the comments made by Odinga were off the cuff and were not a directive to arrest anyone . Kuria said the comments triggered state-sponsored homophobia . `` All the years of hard work we 've done to curtail intimidation , violence and blackmail towards homosexuals has now been adversely reversed , '' said Kuria . Lawrence Mute of the Kenya National Human Rights Commission says that the prime minister 's comments unwisely encourage hate crimes based on assumed sexuality . `` Under the bill of rights , people should be treated equally regardless of their sexual orientation , '' Mute said . Lillian Leposo contributed to this report .
Prime minister says gays , lesbians to be arrested . Comment: Gay community is very scared '' Odinga made remarks at Nairobi rally . Homosexuality is a crime in Kenya carrying a 14-year jail term .