A popular evangelist in Kenya has revealed she is a lesbian, shocking many in the African nation.

51-year-old Jacinta Nzilani, who was once married, revealed that she decided to become a lesbian after her dear husband of 25-years passed on.

Speaking outside the Milimani Law Courts on Friday, where members of the LGBT community were anxiously waiting for the landmark ruling on whether the court would scrap British colonial-era laws criminalising gay sex.

“I am a widow. I lived with my husband for more than 25 years and then he died. I was treated badly by my in-laws and because of the experience, I decided to live with other women.

And I am a lesbian. I feel comfortable and good with other lesbians. I lost my church due to several challenges. People left me and some were forcing me to marry and it was not in me anymore.

Homosexuality is taboo and persecution of sexual minorities is rife. Under sections of Kenya’s penal code, gay sex – or “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” – is punishable by up to 14 years in jail.

Ms. Nzilani is among LGBT rights activists and members who had flocked the court on Friday ahead of the much-anticipated ruling on decriminalizing same-sex relationships in Kenya.

However, they were left disappointed after the ruling was postponed to May.

The evangelist said she became gay after mistreatment from her in-laws following the demise of her spouse.