- The group through its executive director Caroline Ruca and programs director Becky Odhiambo condemned the murder of Chiloba.
- They said it's a very sad day for them in Western Kenya because they are mourning the loss of one of their own, a fashionista.
Image: COURTESY
Western Kenya LGBTQ Feminist Forum based in Kisumu are calling for justice following the murder of model and LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba on Wednesday.
Chiloba was found murdered and his body stashed in a metallic box along the Kipenyo-Kaptinga road, in Kapsaret, Uasin Gishu.
The group through its executive director Caroline Ruca and programs director Becky Odhiambo condemned the murder of Chiloba.
They said it's a very sad day for them in Western Kenya because they are mourning the loss of one of their own, a fashionista.
They said Chiloba has been at the forefront in using his activism and fashion to advocate for the rights of marginalised groups like the LGBTQ Kenyans.
Ruca called on other human rights defenders to come out and speak on the matter.
"This is my clarion call to all human rights defenders, organizations and anyone that claims to protect fulfil and defend human rights to stand up and condemn this," she said.
Ruca it was time that everybody's voice counted towards targeted attacks on queers and transgender and to say human rights are human rights for all.
She said it was unfortunate that Queer Kenyans are not safe in their own country.
"What amount of irrational fear can drive someone to be this inhumane to another, what amount of bigotry can someone have to do these kinds of heinous acts? I am angry, sad and passed off, things have to change".
Odhiambo asked the President to protect all Kenyans because when he says that all Kenyans deserve to live and be free in this country then he should make it his duty to protect all including all the LGBTQ.
She said it is not good to see that human rights are being divided yet we strive to achieve social justice in the principle of inclusion diversity participation and ensuring that everyone has all resources equitably.
"We cannot stand forth and see how we are killed every day like chicken or birds year in and out. We have also seen online bullying justifying the death of Chiloba as though he was a lesser Kenyan," Odhiambo said.
He said Chiloba used fashion to deconstruct gender.
"Gender-fluid fashion does not conform to the construct of what men and women should stick to in terms of their dressings. Anyone can dress the way they want," he said.
The group said the freedom of expression that has been curtailed as a result of chronic homophobia is something that should be addressed.
They said the stigma and discrimination they face every day is something that is contrary to the Constitution in the Bill of Rights chapter 4.
"We are calling for a speedy investigation into the matter. We want to know what happened to Chiloba, what were his last moments, why he was murdered and who dropped him where he was found "said Odhiambo.
"This is a trend that needs to stop last year we had another death, and this year now Chiloba will be next. This is the highest form of cruelty and torture."
Western Kenya LGBTQ Feminist Forum is also a member of the Western Kenya Social Justice Working Group.