Sheila
Lumumba, a non-binary gay person, has reportedly been abused and killed in a
horrific attack in Kenya.
Content
warning: This story may include topics that could make some readers feel
uncomfortable.
Lumumba, a
25-year-old hospitality worker, was found after going missing for several days,
news site K24
TV reports.
The Kenyan
television outlet stated there are alleged reports that Lumumba was gang-raped
and subjected to assault, including a broken leg during the attack.
Following the
news of Lumumba’s death, Amnesty Kenya tweeted in
solitary of their family and to the wider Kenyan LGBTQ+ community.
“No one deserves
such cruel treatment. Sheila didn’t have to experience all this pain. We are
standing in solidarity with the family of Sheila Adhiambo during this trying
moment and we shall follow up on this case until justice is delivered.
#JusticeForSheila #QueerLivesMatter,” Amnesty Kenya posted.
INEND
(Initiative for Equality and Non-Discrimination) condemned the horrific actions
that led to Lumumba’s tragic death: “Queer Lives in Kenya Matter! Sheila
Adhiambo Lumumba did NOT deserve such cruel death”.
Taking to
social media, the non-profit organisation called upon DCI Kenya (Directorate of
Criminal Investigations), the national Kenyan police service and more to
investigate “the perpetrators of this cruel act!”
Human rights
activist Njeri wa Migwi shared a powerful
post on Facebook which revealed she had spoken to a close friend of
Lumumba’s.
“I just spoke
to Sheila’s Lumumba best friend today, and we cried together,” said Migwi.
“Today Sheila
is dead, six men broke into her house and gang-r*ped her, further broke her leg
according to the autopsy and killed this beautiful beautiful human in Karatina
town, Why? Because she was a lesbian.
“My heart is
beyond broken. Sheila don’t rest, if you don’t get justice don’t rest babe, do
not give them rest, curse them, that blood that you shed curse them, may they
never know peace.”
The death of
Lumumba has ignited a conversation on the state of LGBTQ+ rights in Kenya.
Currently, gay
sex continues to be punishable by a maximum of 14 years in prison.
A widely
trusted M-Changa donation link has been set up to collect donations to cover
funeral expenses. You can donate here.
The
hashtags #JusticeForSheila and #ProtectQueerKenyans are
being used by activists and online users to draw attention to anti-LGBTQ+ hate
crimes and Lumumba’s death.
No arrests
have currently been made, according to BBC Africa and K24
TV.
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