•Sheila Lumumba's body was discovered several days ago. It is also believed that they were raped.
•Efforts to decriminalise gay sex were thwarted in 2019 when Kenya's high court of appeal upheld the existing law.
The hashtag #JusticeForSheila is trending in Kenya following the recent murder of a non-binary lesbian in the country.
According to LGBTQ organisations, Sheila Lumumba's body was discovered several days ago. It is also believed that they were raped.
Members of the LGBTQ community and human rights organisations - including Kenya's Inend and Amnesty International - have condemned the murder and called on the authorities to investigate.
Queer Lives in Kenya Matter!
— INEND (@INENDorg) April 21, 2022
Sheila Adhiambo Lumumba did NOT deserve such cruel death🤚🏾🛑
We Call upon the @DCI_Kenya @Kenyajudiciary @NPSOfficial_KE @ODPP_KE to investigate the perpetrators of this cruel act!#JusticeForSheila #ProtectQueerKenyans
Tag others :@irunguhoughton pic.twitter.com/rqoxwDQopT
According to Kenya's National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC), Sheila's case is not isolated as the group has documented increasing incidents of violence against members of the LGBTQ community, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It bears mentioning that unfortunately these are not isolated incidences and are part of a pattern of attacks and violence against LGBTIQ+persons in the country#JusticeForSheila
— #Repeal162 because #LoveIsHuman (@NGLHRC) April 21, 2022
In 2021 the hashtags #JusticeForErica and #JusticeForJoash were trending following the murder of trans-woman activist Erica Chandra and LGBTQ activist Joash Mosoti:
1.We lost yet another beautiful heart and soul. It goes without saying that violence towards the Queer community in Kenya is on the rise. Something needs to change!
— #HereForAll (@Galck_ke) August 31, 2021
•Gone Too Soon• RIP Erica Chandra• >>#TransLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/IWGFKfJHGj
Gay sex is criminalised in Kenya, punishable with 14 years' imprisonment. Members of the country's LGBTQ community routinely face discrimination and stigma.
Efforts to decriminalise gay sex were thwarted in 2019 when Kenya's high court of appeal upheld the existing law.