People in Kenya are demanding justice after Sheila Lumumba, a 25-year-old non-binary lesbian hospitality worker, was allegedly gang-raped by six men and murdered in her home.
Lumumba’s body was found in her home in Karatina, Nyeri County, after her colleagues noticed she had gone missing for four days, local TV station K24 reported.
@kassycho Sheila Lumumba’s murder is part of a pattern of attacks against LGBT people in Kenya. #sheilalumumba #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtq🌈 #lgbtrights #loveislove #genderviolence #kenya #kenyan #fyp #edutok #learnontiktok
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After allegedly gang-raping Lumumba, the attackers reportedly then broke Lumumba’s leg and murdered them, according to the founder of Usikimye, a non-profit organization aimed at ending gender violence.
Police have not yet determined the motive behind Lumumba’s killing, according to the BBC.
According to Kenya’s National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Lumumba’s death is part of a pattern of attacks and violence against LGBT people in the country.
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
Gay sex is illegal in Kenya, and LGBT people routinely face discrimination and stigma, the BBC reported.
News of Lumumba’s death has sparked widespread outrage in the country, with people demanding justice with the trending hashtag #JusticeForSheila.
Sheila and I are both 25 and lesbians. I can’t rest because I am one statistic away from being this. I can’t rest because I know my silence will mean Sheila’s death goes unpunished.#ProtectQueerKenyans🇰🇪🏳️🌈 #JusticeForSheila🕯 pic.twitter.com/8ObJiau1yy
— Protect Queer Kenyans 🇰🇪🏳️🌈 (@DecolonialBruja) April 21, 2022
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 https://t.co/K3eJ0VOtwT
— Amnesty Kenya (@AmnestyKenya) April 21, 2022
I’m really frustrated by silence around the brutal rape and murder of Sheila Adhiambo Lumumba from kisumu who was known as Lumumba Sheila and was found dead in their house on Thursday last week.@DCI_Kenya #ProtectQueerKenyans🇰🇪🏳️🌈#JusticeForSheila🕯 pic.twitter.com/95Pa9W3n8z
— Protect Queer Kenyans 🇰🇪🏳️🌈 (@DecolonialBruja) April 21, 2022
Queer and Gender Based Violence is a pandemic that is here with us,it is a silent crisis that goes unreported and has little attention.
— Maita They/Them (@Elidah_Maita) April 21, 2022
My heart aches. Absolutely no one should have to be violated based on their sexual orientation or Gender identity or…#JusticeForSheila pic.twitter.com/vT7KxZsDMp
People have also raised more than 154,274 Kenyan shillings (US$1,359) for Lumumba’s funeral on M-Changa, Africa’s biggest largest online fundraising platform, according to PinkNews.