Justice Served, Yet Shadows Remain: Sheila Lumumba Case Aftermath

While a Nyeri court delivered a 30-year sentence to Billington Mwathi, the killer of Sheila Lumumba, a non-binary lesbian, questions and concerns linger around the case. This harsh crime, marked by brutal assault and murder, has cast a long shadow on the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya.

Following Sheila’s tragic death in April 2022, her family faced police apathy and delays in the investigation. Their independent efforts, including retrieving crucial CCTV footage, ultimately contributed to Mwathi’s conviction. While the sentencing brings a measure of closure, the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) expressed reservations.

The NGLHRC, while respecting the judicial process, found the 30-year sentence inadequate. They argue it fails to reflect the brutality of the crime and the profound loss suffered by Sheila’s family and the LGBTQ+ community. This sentiment highlights concerns about societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals and the perceived diminished value placed on their lives.

Beyond the specific case, the Lumumba tragedy underscores the continued struggles faced by the Kenyan LGBTQ+ community. Discrimination, violence, and lack of equal legal protections remain significant challenges. While today’s verdict offers a flicker of accountability, it also serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and equality for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Moving forward, ensuring thorough investigations and appropriate sentencing in such cases is crucial. Simultaneously, advocating for comprehensive legal protections and societal acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community is essential to prevent similar tragedies and build a more inclusive and just Kenya.

“Stop killings us” Makena Njeri speaks following brutal murder of gay lady, Sheila Lumumba

Kenyans on social media are angered by the brutal murder of the late Sheila Lumumba, a gay lady that was allegedly killed by 6 men simply because of her sexuakity.

The late Sheila Lumumba

From the stories making rounds on social media is that Sheila Lumumba met her untimely death in Karatina, something that has left the LQBTQ community disturbed.

With the story making rounds on social media,  many Kenyans are now demanding for justice especially since Sheila is the second queer to be killed and still nothing has been done. In April, another lady Erica was also killed by homophobics who couldn’t accept her as a transgender.

Makena Njeri issues statement

Anyway, media personality Makena Njeri who is part of the LGBTQ community has issued a detailed post demanding justice for Sheila Lumumba as well as address the few Kenyans who continue to kill because of their struggle with homophobia.

Late Sheila Lumumba murdered by 6 men for being queer

Makena who has been on the forefront pushing for equal rights for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender persons earlier today shared a detailed post talking about the two murders saying;

Sept 2021 We lost our sweet Erica ???? to a Homophobic attack. She was killed because of being a Transwoman. A human being just like everyone else, a Kenyan just like all of us. April 2022 we mourn another queer soul. We mourn the death of another human being who was raped and killed by six men ????. Reason? HOMOPHOBIA. How disgusting that this is where the world has gotten to and to even bring it closer home she was a Kenyan who is protected by the same laws that govern us.

They’re human too!

Being part of the LGBT community, Makena went on to call for an end to discrimination against this community as they are human too. According to her, being different does not make them sinners, it’s life and the new normal.

Homosexuality is not a sin, Homophobia IS. For how long will this continue being the narrative? For how long will we demand for justice from the police and the public with no answers? The leaders are quick to kick out queer kids from schools but show us their backs when the same queer kids are murdered. We marched for justice and we won’t stop marching for justice even when our hearts bleed in pain.

For her, having the government against this community is like handing homophobics a license to kill. This is because they refuse to let go of colonial laws that don’t accommodate the gay community.

As I always say Section 162 and 165 of the constitution is a death sentence to all of US. When we as Kenyan refuse to fight this colonial laws that make no sense we will continue to loose queer lives and all lives because the law is vague and gives heartless people power to express their Homophobia!!

And lastly, the lady promised to continue demanding justice Sheila – hoping that the 6 men that raped and killed her have been brought to

We demand justice for Sheila Loudly! We want to know who the six men that attacked and raped her are! We want to see their faces on newspapers and national television for the whole world to see the sick faces of Homophobia!! We want to see our leaders step up and demand for justice just like the do for every other Kenyan! STOP KILLING US WE ARE HUMAN JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!

Sending my heartfelt condolences to Sheila’s family. No one deserves to go through this kind of loss.

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#queerlivesmatter????
#justiceforsheilalumumba