I met Sheila Lumumba on Facebook, just months before the brutal killing.
Lumumba, 25, who identified as a member of the LGBTQ community and used the pronouns They, Them, Theirs, was found dead and naked in a pool of blood in her house in Karatina last month.
Sheila was a reserved and quiet individual but also a jovial person that you would love to be around them.
A month or so before Sheila was reportedly killed, they sent me a text message, saying they had been accosted by thugs as they were leaving their workplace and lost some personal items. They did not give more details about the attack but assured me everything was fine.
As a survivor of such incidents, I know how traumatic they can be. Often, survivors are careful and worried about their surroundings. They keep checking over their shoulder every often. And any sudden noises or sounds can be traumatizing as well.
We were to meet with Sheila after this incident, but the fuel shortage that hit the country last month affected travelling and they was not able to make it. We agreed to meet later when the situation is resolved.
To their close friends and queer circle, it was known Sheila was a lesbian. I am not sure if the family knew.
When we started interacting, they had just parted ways with their girlfriend.
A lover of vodka and cigarettes, Sheila was very down to earth, practical, affable, and generous.
They worked hard to be able to support themselves and their family. They wanted to be vocal about their sexuality and identity. This was one of the reasons they reached out to me, claiming I was an inspiration to them.
This is why Sheila’s death came as a shock after I was informed by an anonymous individual. I immediately rushed to Karatina Sub County Hospital mortuary where they had been taken.
They lay in the cold room, with their short black hair covered in blood. The attendants said they probably died at least 2 or 3 days before the body was found. Their limbs were also broken and their eyes gouged out It must have been a painful death.
The attendants and police said an autopsy could provide more clues about Sheila’s death.
Even as #JusticeForSheila trended for the better part of last month, police investigations into the matter have been slow, with no arrests made so far.
Even as Kenyans took to social media to demand justice, more questions arose about their death.
- Was Sheila allegedly killed because of their sexuality?
- Were the attackers known to Sheila now that they allegedly allowed them inside their house?
- Why was there no commotion in Sheila’s room when the men showed up?
- Was it murder or theft given that several items had been allegedly stolen from their room?
These are some of the key questions we need answers to as we call for justice for other LGBTIQ+ members allegedly murdered because of their sexuality.
Sheila was not an activist, but their death has energised the cause for so many queer people to fight for their rights.
Sheila brought everyone together which speaks to their lasting impact as an individual and their kind soul.
Denis Nzioka is a sexual and gender minorities’ rights activist based in Nairobi, Kenya.
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