NGLHRC Publications & Reports

On December 14, 2023, in a dazzling ceremony in Nairobi we came together with our community, partners, and allies celebrating a decade of resilience and impact. The event, themed #ResistanceRequiresJoy, was not just an awards ceremony; it was a commemoration of NGLHRC’s ten-year journey. We are immensely grateful to our funding partners – American Jewish World Service (AJWS), The Canadian High Commission, The Swedish Embassy, Open Society Foundations, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, and Diakonia – for their invaluable support. A special thanks to OV Media for their exceptional event organization, creating a beautiful and smoothly run event. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to all guests who honored our invite, and congratulations to all the deserving nominees and winners. This year’s event highlighted the spirit of innovation and unwavering commitment within the LGBTIQ+ community, honoring those who embody these qualities.

Upinde Awards 2023 celebrated outstanding contributions to the LGBTIQ+ community. In addition to the five regular categories, NGLHRC introduced Uwiano Award that honours East Africans (either individuals or groups) that have shown extraordinary fortitude and bravery in fighting for and advancing LGBTIQ+ rights at home and across the region.

• Chanzo Award: Awarded to Tanaka Muren for pioneering efforts in the community.
• Nguzo Award: Kamanda Muceke was recognized for providing strong support and foundation.
• Ubunifu Award: Heart Out Kenya received this award for their creative approach in advocacy.
• Utumishi Award: Nature Network was honored for their dedicated service.
• Shujaa Award: Edwin Chiloba was posthumously awarded for his bravery and heroism.
• Uwiano Award: Feminist Republik was celebrated for promoting harmony and equality.
• Honourable Mention : Cleopatra Kambugu was acknowledged for her exceptional contributions to the community and movement.

Access The Full Resource Here

We have curated this sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) resource specifically tailored for young LGBTQIA+ individuals. The core objective is to provide an inclusive, knowledgeable foundation in SRHR, integrating the latest legal and policy frameworks. This resource is designed to support, educate, and empower our diverse community, ensuring there is access to accurate and affirming information regarding sexual and reproductive health rights.

Access The Full Resource Here

We are excited to share our 2022 Annual Report, themed #ResistanceRequiresJoy. This report reflects our year-long journey advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGBTI community in Kenya, underlining the importance of joy and celebration in our fight for #JusticeForAll and #EqualityForAll.

Delve into our impactful initiatives in legal advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and community empowerment. Join us in our mission and read our report here.

We, the undersigned LGBTIQ+ organisations strongly condemn the recent assent of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda by President Yoweri Museveni. This legislation not only violates the basic principles of human rights but also undermines the dignity, freedom, and equality of LGBTIQ+ individuals in Uganda. Read the full Statement Here.

On 31st March 2023, NGLHRC with the support of AJWS and Right Here Right Now II held the Essay Award Ceremony at Heinrich Boll Stiftung – Prof. Wangari Maathai Road in commemoration of Transgender Visibility Day. On 13th March 2023, NGLHRC put out a call for essays on Navigating Non-Conformity. The aim of the competition was to unpack concepts and terminologies around gender nonconformity, strengthen the values of learners concerning being more just and ensuring inclusivity, equality & non-discrimination for LGBTQIA+ persons, and empowering young people to speak out in their direct environment on various issues faced by ITGNC persons.
We received 43 essays that were fairly graded. 22 young people from universities in Nairobi were invited to the award ceremony and where they were further engaged on Sexual and Reproductive Health and lived realities of ITGNC persons.
Beryl Apiyo from United States International University emerged as the winner of the essay competition with 79.2%, Mercy Kimutai from Dedan Kimathi University came in 2nd with 76% while Nelius Thaara from The University of Nairobi came in 3rd with 75.8%

This joint report by the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) and Amnesty International documents the extremely dangerous situation of hate crimes, discrimination and other human rights violations suffered by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) asylum seekers and refugees in Kenya, specifically those living in Kakuma refugee camp, between 2018 and February 2023. Read the full report Here.

We strongly condemn the passing of the sweeping anti-gay legislation by the parliament of Uganda. We stand in solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda, who now face even harsher penalties for simply living their lives and expressing their identities. The new law criminalises same-sex relationships and punishes those who “promote” homosexuality or fail to report someone who is gay to authorities. It also includes provisions that would outlaw the provision of healthcare and other services to LGBTQ+ people, putting them at risk of serious harm and further marginalization. Read the Full Statement Here.

The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of Kenya affirming the decisions of the High Court and the Court of Appeal to allow for the registration of The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the words ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ in its title.  Read the Full Statement Here. Read the full judgement here.

On 5th January 2023, news broke of the brutal murder of Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo Chiloba in Eldoret, Kenya. Chiloba was discovered dead on 3rd January 2023 under unknown circumstances. On 6th January 2023, family, friends and allies, including Human Rights Organisations in Eldoret, visited Langas Police Station in Kapseret, where the DCIO is leading the investigation, alongside Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where the body has been preserved pending a postmortem examination. Here is a joint statement from The Commission alongside six other organisations regarding the ongoing investigation.

• The Chanzo Award went to Kwamboka Kibagendi
• The Utumishi went to Q Initiative
• The Ubunifu Award went to The Channel Ke
• The Nguzo Award went to Usikimye
• The Shujaa Award went to Essy Adhiambo

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Gender non-conforming (LGBTIQ+) community in Kenya continues to face stigma, and human rights violations, including torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and murder. Against this gloomy background, we stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and loudly say ‘Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights Matter!’’. Read The Full Statement Here

REDRESS and the National Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) make this submission to draw the Committee against Torture’s attention to the issue of discriminatory violence affecting individuals identifying or perceived as LGBTIQ+ in Kenya (paragraph 33 of the List of Issues)1. This submission is based on our extensive experience working against torture and on LGBTIQ+ issues in Kenya. Read The Full Submission Here.

On 17th April 2022, Sheila Lumumba, a 25-year-old queer, non-binary person, was
found dead in their apartment in Karatina, Nyeri County. The autopsy conducted by the
Government Pathologist report released on 20th April 2022 shows, among other things, signs of rape, broken limbs and multiple stab wounds in the neck and chest area. As LGBTIQA+ persons, communities, organizations and allies are horrified and deeply saddened by the circumstances around their death. We come together to condemn these heinous acts in the strongest terms. We commiserate and grieve with the family of our departed sibling and active member of the Kenyan community and commit to standing by them in demand of justice for Sheila. In the same breath, we decry a visible pattern as indicated in various research studies and anecdotal information by the LGBTIQ community of targeted violence against sexual and gender minorities and the lack of prosecution and impunity for perpetrators of homophobic/transphobic violence. We urge the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to move with speed to arrest and the identified suspects prosecuted. Read the Full Statement here.

On February 14th 2022, in Nairobi County, Education Cabinet Secretary is quoted as saying, “I said if you are a homosexual in a boarding school and you are hopping from a bed of another student to another, your rights end there.” This quote was part of a more extensive speech where he uses homophobic and stigmatizing language to give context to his discrimination, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia of LGBTIQ+ students in his comments from December 30th, 2021. Worryingly, the CS has now added sexualization of LGBTIQ+ children to his repertoire. Read the full release here.

On December 30th 2021, in Kisumu County, Education Cabinet Secretary said, “children who are homosexual and lesbian … must go to day schools close to their homes.” The CS stated that this move would “protect the greater majority of learners.” These remarks by a government representative are highly concerning, considering their intensely discriminatory and homophobic nature.

The Cabinet Secretary’s utterances are in utter violation of Article 10 (2b) of the Constitution of Kenya which holds among the National Values And Principles Of Governance “human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non-discrimination and protection of the marginalised”; In addition to Article 27(4) that outlines “The State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth.” He also infracts the word and spirit of several international treaties and declarations to which Kenya is a signatory. With his utterance, the CS proves that government players instigate homophobia which then creates an environment that allows for violence against members of the LGBTIQ+ community.

NGLHRC executive director said, “such statements demonstrate what we have been saying for years, that stigma, discrimination, and violence against the LGBTIQ+ community begins at a very early age fueling a myriad of long-term issues, including but not limited to deteriorating mental health.” The Education CS is a trained health professional with a wealth of information at his disposal and should be aware that sexual orientation is innate and immutable and him requiring that learners be treated differently on grounds of their sexuality is not only unconstitutional but unacceptable and has no place in a democratic state such as ours.

LGBTIQ+ Kenyans have hopes and aspirations just like other wanainchi. Like other Kenyans, we have the constitutionally guaranteed right to access rights and privileges assured us in the constitution. However, Kenya cannot achieve Socioeconomic progress if one group is continuously marginalised. If the government intends to meet its 2030 goals, make progress on the Big 4, and reach its Sustainable Development Goals landmarks, discrimination and exclusion of LGBTIQ+ persons, both systemic and otherwise, needs to come to an end. To LGBTIQ+ learners who have been the subject of this attack, we recognise that these utterances have brought much distress and sympathise and empathise with you. We give you our assurance that we are watching the situation and will continue holding the government accountable.

Between July 2020 to June 2021 the Commission has received and handled 619 cases reported by LGBTIQA+ persons across the country. There has been significant increase in the number of cases, this could have been due to the ongoing pandemic. Covid-19 rendered quite a number of our constituents jobless and with no means of survival hence they had to go back home and were stuck with either abusive partners or abusive family members. This therefore resulted in cases of intimate partner violence, evictions, family rejections, economic indignity, discrimination and stigma among other cases. Read the full Legal Aid Report here.

Read the publication of our 2019-2020 annual report, with a summary of the year’s activities, our programmatic growth and a message from our Executive Director on the year.

Click here to download a copy of our Annual Report. You can also view a short video summary of the same here.

Between July 2019 and July 2020, NGLHRC received 329 reports of violations through its legal aid clinic. Violations were reported from out of town and from overseas. NGLHRC was able to intervene through phone conversations, referrals, activating trained paralegals, thirty six of whom have reported and referred cases to the Legal Aid Lawyers in the locale. The said cases were reported from Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Kwale, Machakos, Kisii, Tharaka Nithi, Uasin Gishu, Kilifi, Migori, Meru, Nyeri, Garissa, Lodwar, Kiambu, Trans Nzoia, Nakuru, Kakamega, Homabay Counties as well as Uganda, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Read the full Legal Aid Report here.

The Legal Aid Clinic has dealt with over 2000 cases since its inception in 2014. Of these, about 34% of cases reported are through allies and referrals, both in Nairobi and out of town. In 2014, a total of 344 cases were reported, approximately 278 in 2015, 193 in 2016, 433 cases in 2017 and 516 in 2018 and 130 cases as of June of 2019. Read the full Legal Aid Report here.

The Legal Aid Clinic has dealt with over 1500 cases since the inception of its Legal Aid Program in 2014. Of these, about 34% of cases reported are through allies and referrals, both in Nairobi and out of town. In 2014, a total of 344 cases were reported, approximately 278 in 2015, 193 in 2016 and 433 cases in 2017. Read the full Legal Aid Report here.

Kindly contact our office to request a downloadable copy of our second Annual Report at info@nglhrc.com

In response to the Call for Inputs issued by the Office of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, this submission outlines the human rights situation of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex community in the Republic of Kenya (Kenya). In particular, this submission discusses the following underpinnings: i) decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations; ii) effective anti-discrimination measures; iii) legal recognition of gender identity; iv) destigmatization linked with depathologisation; and v) socio-cultural inclusion. Read the full report here. 

The Paralegal Resource Manual is part of NGLHRC’s ongoing work to enhance access to justice and bring to life the constitutional right of public participation of LGBTIQ individuals living in Kenya. The Paralegal Resource Manual is meant to increase knowledge of the rights entitled to LGBTIQSOGIE (Queer) persons by the Constitution of Kenya and understanding of the functioning of the judiciary system.

Click here to download a copy of the Paralegal Resource Manual. A few printed copies are also available by request at our offices.

The Pocket Paralegal Resource Manual is a shortened version of of our Paralegal Resource Manual for quick reference while in the field or as needed.

Click here to download a copy of the Pocket Paralegal Resource Manual. Printed copies are also available by request at our offices.

Read the first publication of our annual report, with a summary of the year’s activities, our programmatic growth and a message from our Executive Director on our 2016 year.

Click here to download a copy of our Annual Report. Printed copies are also available by request at our offices.

A summary of legal aid cases referred to NGLHRC in 2016 for violations against LGBTQI individuals throughout Kenya.

Click here to download a copy of the report.

The study finds that human rights violations against LGBTI persons in Kenya are systematic, highly prevalent and generally not redressed by the state when called to. There is a high prevalence of violence upon LGBTI persons who are routinely abused, subjected to hate speech and incitement to violence, suffer physical violence in terms from mobs and occasionally raped by police, vigilantes and organized criminals. Read the full Report here.