Since the beginning of 2025, we provided safe shelter to 25 LGBTQ+ forcibly displaced members of the community due to violence and discrimination. An additional 10 asylum seekers fleeing persecution received short-term and transitional accommodation. All residents accessed psychosocial support, food, legal guidance, and hygiene items.
In Rongai and Kiserian areas with high reported LGBTQ+ harassment we trained over 50 participants on safety planning, self-advocacy, and emergency response strategies. These workshops restored community members’ sense of agency and provided tools for navigating daily threats.
We organized mental health awareness forums in Dagoretti, Kajiado, and Nairobi, directly impacting 40+ individuals. These workshops focused on trauma recovery, suicide prevention, and emotional resilience. LGBTQ+ wellness champions and mental health professionals co-facilitated the sessions.
With support from Pride Toronto, we hosted inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) workshops. Participants received free condoms, lubricants, and culturally affirming information on STIs, HIV prevention, and safe sex.
Through our partnership with Jinsiangu, we have been able to put in place a financial tracking system helping on improving our accountability and transparency.
Our advocacy is not an afterthought it is at the heart of our mission. Between January and June 2025, EEA-H spearheaded multiple independent and impact-driven advocacy actions aimed at transforming the systems that continue to marginalize LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees in Kenya.
Joined by activists and seasoned pro-bono lawyers, we partnered with the Legal Caravan to train community leaders on how to pursue justice in cases of torture and police brutality.
We’re excited to announce our first successful harvest from the kitchen garden at our shelter in Rimpa Ward. Tomatoes, spinach, sukuma wiki, green pepper, and coriander all grown organically using climate-smart practices. We’re tackling rising food prices with sustainable farming, ensuring our ITGNC asylum seekers have access to fresh, healthy food while protecting the planet.
We led a community-driven co-creation process that culminated in the development and validation of the first ever National Safe Housing Toolkit for LGBTQ+ Refugees in Kenya. This critical resource: Was developed in partnership with ActionAid Kenya. Reflected lived experiences of LGBTQ+ persons in transitional housing. Was validated through a national stakeholder workshop attended by policymakers, CSOs, and LGBTQ+ community leaders. Now serves as a guiding framework for inclusive shelter models in Kenya and the region.
In an independent policy submission, EEA-H presented a formal Statement of Intent to the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Taskforce, calling for: Recognition of LGBTQ+ refugees as GBV survivors in need of targeted interventions. Disaggregated data collection by sexual orientation and gender identity. Trauma-informed shelters that acknowledge diverse gender experiences. Integration of refugee voices in the upcoming National Action Plan on GBV.
In partnership with Amref Health Africa in Kenya, we initiated a strategic legal challenge to the Government of Kenya’s ongoing refusal to resettle LGBTQ+ refugees. This effort includes: Litigation grounded in international protections, including the 1951 Refugee Convention. Alignment with Kenya’s 2024 High Court ruling against discrimination based on SOGIESC. Mobilization of legal experts to prepare for class action lawsuits targeting exclusionary practices.
We conducted and published a landmark community-led study on: Barriers faced by LGBTQ+ persons in accessing healthcare. Discrimination from health providers, fear of disclosure, and inaccessible SRHR services. Data from this research now informs advocacy dialogues with public health institutions and humanitarian actors.
Kenyatta University Roundtable: Presented findings on
post-arrival
challenges (documentation, healthcare
access, education) affecting LGBTQ+ refugees.
ORAM Training: Participated in ethics-based humanitarian
programming training to align our shelter model with
global protection standards
Get in touch today, help us make
QUEER LIVES better!
+254 757 615 931
+254 792 747 788
refugees@empowermentadvocay.org
ONGATA RONGAI,
KAJIADO
