Mystery surrounds death of Kenyan student Sheila Chebii in Australia, family demands answers
Sheila Jepkorir Chebii, 26, died in Sydney on 17 May just six weeks after arriving to pursue a master's degree. Her family is calling on Australian and Kenyan authorities to investigate the circumstances, including a pos
Sheila Jepkorir Chebii died in Sydney on 17 May, only weeks after travelling to Australia to begin a master's degree in accounting and auditing. Her family said she had left Kenya in early April 2026 through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with plans to build a career as an international financial consultant.
Born in 2000, 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, Samuel Kiptanui Chebii and Linah Tanui, viewed her education as an opportunity to improve the lives of people in their community in Sambirir, Marakwet East.
Calls for investigation
Preliminary information suggests she may have suffered a fatal fall while on duty, although the exact circumstances have not been confirmed. Her father, a retired teacher, said the family was struggling to understand what had happened.
He called on Australian authorities to conduct a full investigation, including a review of CCTV footage and workplace safety procedures. The family has also appealed to 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.
Community grief
In Kobil village, relatives, neighbours and friends have continued to gather at the family home to offer support. Tributes have also been shared on social media by Kenyans in Kenya and abroad.
The death has rattled the Kenyan community in Sydney. Friends described the loss as devastating. Many community members said Sheila's death reflects the hopes and ambitions of young Kenyans who relocate abroad to build better futures, only to have those dreams cut short.
Her passing has left relatives and friends grieving a life that ended soon after the start of a new chapter, renewing conversations about workplace safety protections for international students working in Australia.
Reporting drawn from Mwakilishi, Mwakilishi, Daily Nation, Gazette NGR.
