Sheila Chebii: Questions mount over death of Kenyan student in Australia as family demands probe

The family of Sheila Jepkorir Chebii, a Kenyan national who died in Australia under unclear circumstances, is demanding answers from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs over events that led to her death just weeks after she arrived in the country to pursue further studies.

Chebii was reportedly found dead at a hotel in Sydney last month. Australian authorities indicated that the incident was being treated as a suspected suicide, alleging that she fell from the 19th floor of the building.

Her family is calling for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and wants the Kenyan High Commission in Australia to seek further clarity from Australian authorities.

They took to the streets of the busy Sydney Central Business District in a peaceful demonstration, demanding justice for Chebii, whose death has sparked more questions than answers.

The hundreds of Kenyans living in Australia called for accountability and a thorough inquiry into Chebii’s sudden death, which occurred one and a half months after she arrived in Sydney on April 4.

Chebii, who comes from Elgeyo Marakwet County, died on May 17. Australian police reports indicate that she fell from the 19th floor of the Meriton Suites hotel in Sydney’s CBD, suggesting that she had jumped.

Her family argues that the injuries on her body are inconsistent with a fall from such a height.

Abraham Talel, the family spokesperson, said: “Initially, the security of the hotel where Sheila was working had written that she had fallen from the 19th floor and somehow landed on the 4th floor…we saw it as an arrogant way of talking to us, saying ‘mtado?’”

Ben Kitum, an uncle to the deceased, said: “We have seen many cases where our daughters and sons are dying in the diaspora under some unclear circumstances, and we have been wondering why the government is silent.”

The family has faulted the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, accusing it of failing to promptly notify relatives about the incident and of not doing enough to push Australian authorities to conduct an investigation.

Hosea Kipchirchir, the brother to the deceased, said: “I want to ask the minister and PS for Foreign Affairs…take, for example, that Sheila Chebii was your daughter; how long does it take for you to give us a report?”

Officials from the State Department for Diaspora met with Chebii’s family and pledged to follow the case closely until its conclusion.

Talel said:” The PS has said no stone will be left unturned…”

At the time of her death, Chebii was working at the Meriton Suites hotel while pursuing her studies.