In Kenyan history, there exists a generation whose stories are often whispered, their experiences shrouded in the shadows of societal norms and cultural restraints, their tales of resilience, love, and their courage in navigating their identities amidst a legal landscape that criminalised them often forgotten. Kevin Mwachiro, Peter Irungu, and Nguru Karugu embarked on a three-year journey, meticulously weaving the forgotten stories of this enigmatic generation into the fabric of a book titled “We’ve Been Here.”
Kenya’s societal norms and religious principles often dictate stringent boundaries for sexuality, gender identity and presentation, We’ve Been Here offers a poignant insight into the lives of those who challenged social conventions simply by embracing their authentic selves. Through hardships and triumphs, they carved out spaces for love, authenticity, and self-expression.
We’ve Been Here, is a collection of stories from Kenyans aged fifty and above showcasing their life’s journeys through the lens of their queer identity. The book features stories of twenty to twenty five people; each story encapsulating a unique journey to freedom and acceptance. Each narrative depicts a time when the visibility of LGBTQ individuals and their experiences were buried beneath the weight of societal expectations, information on sexuality and sexual health was scarce, and visibility honouring LGBTQ identities was severely lacking.
Documenting these narratives required an intimate and meticulous process according to Kevin Mwachiro a journalist, queer activist, podcaster and one of the co-authors of We’ve Been Here.
“It wasn’t challenging to find individuals willing to share their stories. We meticulously crafted a list of people we believed would offer compelling narratives for our book, assigning specific individuals to each author. Our invitation letters were carefully constructed to establish trust, especially because not all participants knew us personally. We took great care to outline the project’s purpose, explaining where their stories would be showcased and the security measures we had in place to ensure their safety. Surprisingly, most recipients embraced the idea of sharing their stories, recognizing this as an opportunity to voice their experiences as queer individuals, even though discussing their journeys was unfamiliar territory. Despite concerns, particularly among closeted participants, they all grasped the significance of this book and eagerly wished to contribute. Consequently, we opted to use pseudonyms for some contributors, honouring their privacy while preserving their invaluable stories.”
In speaking on the significance of the book he says;
“We’ve been here is more than just a collection of stories, it is a vital piece of history, a narrative thread that weaves together the complexities, struggles, and hopes of a generation whose voices have often been silenced. When Nguru Karugu initially conceived the notion of compiling these narratives among the older queer community, the significance of chronicling these stories became immediately apparent. Many among us from this era were dying, yet held a wealth of invaluable insight into Kenya’s queer landscape before the advent of the internet and social media.”.
The book also acts as a vessel, not only preserving the memories and experiences of a living generation but also commemorating those who’ve passed on; serving as a beacon of remembrance, that ensures their stories are not lost to time.
“In our book, there is a dedicated section entitled ‘Our Queer Ancestors’ reserved for individuals over fifty within the queer community who have since passed away. We recognized that if they were still with us, they would undoubtedly have contributed to this book. Our intention was to honour their memory through a heartfelt tribute, a testament to the lives they lived, their enduring struggles, and their remarkable triumphs.”
“We also included an empty chapter dedicated to commemorating those who passed away prematurely due to HIV/AIDS. Many of our queer elders lived through the peak of the HIV epidemic, facing ostracization and passing away without the dignity and respect they deserved. Furthermore, we paid tribute to community members lost to homophobic violence, those who lived and died in the closet, and individuals whose truths remained unheard. Our aim was to embrace the diversity of backgrounds and varied experiences within Kenya’s queer community, striving to make the book inclusive and representative of the multifaceted lives led by queer individuals in the country”. He adds
Creating a book like this was not without its challenges.
“Most interviews were conducted and recorded, which presented a significant challenge due to the volume of audio recordings we amassed. To tackle this, we enlisted transcribers to convert these recordings into text. As the editorial lead, my task involved meticulously sifting through this wealth of material. It was an arduous process to distil and extract the core essence of these narratives, even when some participants initially didn’t see the story in their experiences. I sought to capture and craft compelling narratives that respected the dignity of each participant, ensuring their stories were not just readable but also engaging and enlightening within the context of the book. Ultimately, my goal was to curate a book that did justice to the richness of their experiences while maintaining their integrity and preserving their voices” Mwachiro recounts.
The book’s significance extends beyond honouring the past; it resonates profoundly with the present. When asked about the impact he hopes this book has on Kenya’s queer community and beyond the co-author says;
“Many people choose to remain ignorant about queer identities, so it’s crucial that people read and understand our narrative. To grasp our present, they need to comprehend our past. This work is proof that we have a rich history and underscores the importance of queer people documenting our own stories. My hope is that this book inspires activists across the continent to chronicle their experiences, emphasising that queer existence in Africa predates Western influences. It’s vital to recognize that we’ve always existed, sometimes operating in the shadows—organising, finding community, love, and ourselves. I dream of witnessing a version of ‘We’ve Been Here’ from every African country to reshape the perception that the LGBTQ+ community in Africa solely stems from Western impacts. Moreover, I aim for this book to reassure those who may still be closeted that they’re not alone; there are fellow Africans like them, offering the hope of finding the community and love they rightfully deserve.“
Mwachiro sees immense value in the experiences and perspectives shared by the older queer generation in ‘We’ve Been Here,’ believing that these stories can profoundly impact younger generations navigating their identities and seeking societal acceptance.
“Living a long and fulfilling life as a queer person is possible. Your queerness doesn’t diminish with age; you just need to have the courage to authentically live your truth throughout your life’s journey.“
We’ve Been Here isn’t merely a book, it is advocacy humanising the LGBTQ community and sparking broader conversations on LGBTQ rights and recognition in Kenya and beyond. It is proof of our resilience, a celebration of our identity, and homage to a generation whose stories deserve to be heard, cherished, and remembered — a generation whose stories drive us toward our liberation.
