Kenyan Community in Australia to March on Canberra Over Sheila Chebii's Suspicious Death
Kenyan diaspora leaders in Australia have organised a procession to the High Commission on Tuesday, May 26, demanding justice for Sheila Jepkorir Chebii, 26, who died in Sydney on May 17 after allegedly falling from the
Kenyan community leaders across Australia are mobilising for a peaceful march to the Kenyan High Commission in Canberra on Tuesday, demanding answers in the death of Sheila Jepkorir Chebii.
Sheila, 26, died in Sydney on May 17 — just six weeks after arriving in Australia to pursue a master's degree in accounting and auditing. She had left Kenya on April 4, 2026, with plans to build a career as an international financial consultant. While studying, she worked as a hotel housekeeper to support herself.
A Family's Unanswered Questions
Officials reported that Sheila fell from the 19th floor of the building where she was on duty and landed on the 4th floor. But her family in Marakwet East has rejected that narrative. Her father, Samuel Kiptanui Chebii, a retired teacher, said the injuries on her body — minor bruises and a small wound on her forehead — did not match the severity of such a fall.
No witnesses have come forward, and the family says Sheila was last seen entering a room on the 19th floor before she was later found on the 4th floor. They have called on Australian authorities to conduct a full investigation, including a review of CCTV footage and workplace safety procedures.
Petition and Procession
Organisers say they will deliver a formal petition to the High Commission calling for justice, transparency, and accountability in the investigation. An autopsy is expected after preliminary police inquiries are completed.
Online, the hashtag #JusticeForSheila has circulated among Kenyans in Australia, the United States, and Kenya, with supporters calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Sheila was the fourth of five children in her family. She graduated from Kabarak University in 2024 with a degree in accounting and later enrolled for the CPA(K) qualification. Her parents viewed her education as an opportunity to improve the lives of people in their community in Sambirir.
Relatives, neighbours, and friends have continued to gather at the family home in Kobil village to offer support. Tributes have poured in on social media from Kenyans in Kenya and abroad.
What Comes Next
The procession is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26. Community leaders are urging the Kenyan embassy in Australia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide diplomatic support and ensure transparency during the investigation.
The family waits for answers — and for the chance to bring their daughter home.
Reporting drawn from Mwakilishi, Mwakilishi, The Kenyan Diaspora, Daily Nation.