Chriton, AKA Trinidad, a refugee at the Kakuma Refugee Camp, has now been reported dead by the Refugee Coalition of East Africa. “On [March 15, 2021] in the refugee camp at Kakuma, several of our fellows were victimized in an anti-LGBTQI hate crime. The attackers set fire to the homes of our fellow queer refugees, destroying property, hurting many, and now taking a life. The attack has gone unpunished and Kenyan authorities seem unsurprisingly unconcerned with pursuing justice,” the statement from the Refugee Coalition of East Africa reads.
According to reports by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, two of the victims from the attack were receiving treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital. After Chriton’s admission, the medical practitioners found out that he was suffering from previous health issues for which he was also receiving treatment. But his condition deteriorated, and, despite the medical team’s best efforts, he passed away this morning.
“We are deeply shocked by this tragic loss and wish to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim. We urge the Kenyan authorities to accelerate their investigation into the alleged attack and hold those responsible to account,” Fathiaa Abdalla, UNHCR’s Representative in Kenya, said.
“We are tired of saying goodbye to our fellows. We are exhausted by the lack of action taken by those in power because they do not care and they do not see us, refugees and queer persons, as people. We are furious that yet another of our community has perished only for nothing to be done, nothing to change, and with no justice,” the statement from the Refugee Coalition of East Africa adds. “Trinidad did not deserve to die. He was only living his life, having escaped the victimization in his own country only to be murdered here in Kenya. He was a good person who only wanted to love, to live, to be free, and to let his true identity shine. For that he was attacked, burned, and killed. And for that, his attackers continue to roam free.”
The other burn victim is recovering and is expected to be discharged soon.
May Chriton’s soul rest in peace.
