Right groups wants DCI to replicate ‘enthusiasm’ in Chiloba’s case in solving lesbian Sheila Lumumba’s murder

Amnesty International Kenya and other rights groups claim there is laxity in the prosecution of murder cases involving members of the LGBTQ+.

The rights groups in a joint statement dated January 10, 2023, commended the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for acting with speed in bringing Edwin Chiloba’s murder suspects to book.

“The above-listed organisations commend the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for the swift investigations into the brutal murder of Edwin Kiprotich Chiloba. The investigations have resulted in a confession, the arrest of five suspects and their arraignment at the Eldoret Law Court. We laud their efforts to ensure that perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice. We pledge our unwavering support to the investigators and prosecutors in this matter and call upon the LGBTQ+ community and the general public to do the same,” the statement read in part.

However, Amnesty and other rights groups called on DCI and Judiciary to act with the same enthusiasm and determination shown in Chiloba’s case to solve other murders involving members of the LGBTQ+.

The groups asked DCI and Judiciary to pending cases such as the gruesome murder of Sheila Lumumba which started an online debate about LGBTQ rights in Kenya.

The 25-year-old Kenyan non-binary lesbian was found murdered and naked in their bedroom in Karatina on April 17, 2022.

A postmortem report conducted at Karatina Sub-County Hospital and seen by Human Rights Watch revealed that Lumumba was sexually assaulted, hit on the head with a blunt object, and stabbed in the chest, face, neck, and eyes.

“We call on the DCI and the Judiciary to replicate the determination and enthusiasm and act to close the pending cases, such as Sheila Lumumba, who was raped and killed in Karatina, Nyeri county. Joash Mosoti, a young gay male peer educator, was attacked and killed in his house in Mombasa county. Chriton “Trinidad” Atuhwera, a gay refugee and human rights activist succumbed to burns injuries sustained in an arson attack at the Kakuma refugee camp. Rose Mbesa, a 50-year-old intersex person who was raped and killed and her lifeless body dumped on the roadside in Kachibora, Trans Nzoia county, among many others,” the rights group said in the statement.

“Articles 26, 27, and 28 of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) guarantee the right to life, equal protection and equal benefit of the law to all persons, and the right to dignity for all, including sexual and gender minorities. However, in reality, this has not been the case, as seen in the laxity in prosecution in the murder cases of persons of the LGBTQ+ community,” the statement added.

The statement by the rights groups was shared on social media by LGBTQ+ activist Makena Njeri.

“I stand with @boldnetworkafrica @galck_ke @amnesty_kenya @change.orgke @nglhrckenya @inend.ke @q_initiative on this statement. I will continue condemning the hate LGBTQ+ persons face in this country we call home. I will call it exactly what it is without any fear. I move with LOVE only ❤️,” Makena Njeri wrote.