In the wake of multiple brutal murders of LGBTIQ Kenyans, the Defenders Coalition is concerned that the limiting and discriminatory legal framework on the rights of sexual minorities in Kenya is increasing the vulnerability of said persons to bias and social stigma, discrimination, economic impact, the risk of violence and domestic parental violence, and continues to contribute to the lack of access to gender-affirming health services.
According to the organization, within the past one year, they have documented 23 cases of either/or violent murder, assault, forceful eviction of LGBTIQ individuals across Kenya with little to no action by the relevant duty bearers in promoting the safety and security of sexual minority individuals as well as seeking justice for the victims. Among the documented cases, they noted that the victims of murder were brutally stabbed to death or sexually abused through corrective gang rape or strangled and/or violently assaulted before being killed.
Some of the deaths include:
1. Sheila Lumumba was discovered dead on 22 April 2022 at their home in Karatina Town. Post-mortem reports indicated that they were hit by a blunt object on the head, raped and stabbed to death.
2. A 50 year old intersex person was found murdered on 4 May 2022 by the roadside in Cherang’any constituency, Trans Nzoia County. Reports indicate that the victim was raped.
3. Joash Mosoti was found murdered by strangulation in his house in Bamburi, Mombasa County on 11 May 2021.
4. Erica Chandra was found dead in Westlands Nairobi on 29 August 2021.
It is on these grounds that Defenders Coalition call upon Kenyan citizens to commit towards the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBTIQ persons in Kenya.
“We call on Kenyans to strive to realize dignity, respect, and the rights of all citizens.” Said the organization.”
This submission was made in a press statement to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia-IDAHOBIT which is celebrated annually on the 17th of May.
Despite the setback, Defenders Coalition lauded the courageous advocacy efforts carried out by human rights defenders, activists, journalists, media workers and civil society organizations to raise awareness about the issues affecting SOGIE persons and human rights violations they may face.
