Kenyan Community in Australia to March on High Commission Over Student's Mysterious Death
Diaspora leaders will deliver a petition to Canberra demanding justice for Sheila Jepkorir Chebii, 26, who died in Sydney on May 17 after allegedly falling from a hotel's 19th floor. Her family disputes the official acco
Kenyan community leaders in Australia have organised a peaceful procession to the Kenyan High Commission in Canberra on Tuesday, 26 May, following the death of 26-year-old Sheila Jepkorir Chebii in Sydney.
The march comes eight days after Sheila, who worked as a hotel housekeeper, was reported to have fallen from the 19th floor of the building where she was on duty and landed on the 4th floor. Organisers say they will deliver a formal petition calling for justice, transparency and accountability in the investigation.
Family Disputes Official Account
Sheila's family has raised serious questions about the circumstances of her death. Relatives said she had only minor bruises and a small wound on her forehead—injuries they argue did not match the severity of a 15-storey fall. They also said no witnesses have come forward and that Sheila was last seen entering a room on the 19th floor before she was later found on the 4th floor.
According to earlier reports, Sheila had travelled to Australia on 5 April in search of new opportunities abroad. One source indicated she was pursuing a master's degree in accounting and auditing, while another described her as working in hotel housekeeping. She was the fourth of five children, born in 2000, and graduated from Kabarak University in 2024 with a degree in accounting. Her parents, Samuel Kiptanui Chebii and Linah Tanui, live in Sambirir, Marakwet East.
Calls for Independent Investigation
The family has appealed to Australian authorities to conduct a full investigation, including a review of CCTV footage and workplace safety procedures. They have also called on the Kenyan embassy in Australia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide diplomatic support and ensure transparency during the investigation. An autopsy is expected after preliminary police inquiries are completed.
Online, the hashtag #JusticeForSheila has continued to circulate among Kenyans in different countries, with supporters calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
What Happens Next
The procession to the High Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, 26 May. In Kobil village, relatives, neighbours and friends have continued to gather at the family home to offer support. Tributes have been shared on social media by Kenyans in Kenya and abroad. Australian police have not yet released findings from their preliminary inquiry.
Reporting drawn from Mwakilishi, Mwakilishi, Mwakilishi, Samrack Media.