The term LGBTQ+ refers to members of the public that do not identify to the conventional genders of male and female. LGBTQ+ comprises lesbians, gays, bisexuals, queer (sometimes questioning), and the plus includes all other forms one may choose to identify with. LGBTQ has been used as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity since 1990
It seems Kenya is joining the western world by embracing different sexualities. While the Kenyan constitution does not mention whether it is legal or not, Kenyan politicians have responded to the questions around the issue by saying that Kenyans are coexisting well and the LGBTQ+ debate is not an issue in Kenya yet.
Kenyan celebrities have come out as gay and notified their fans about their sexualities.
So who are the Kenyan celebrities that have come out as gay or lesbian? Below is a list of Kenyan public figures that are proudly members of the LGBTQ+ community.
1. Dennis Karuri
Dennis Karuri is a successful makeup artist who identifies as gay. He becomes one of the few men to succeed in the makeup industry which has been dominated by women for a long time. He likes wearing makeup to look like a woman and he is never shy about his sexuality.
2. Willis Chimano
Willis Chimamo is a member of the Sauti Sol music group. Many Kenyans suspected that Willis Chimamo was gay before he came out of the closet. Like many other celebrities that came out as gay or lesbian, Willis faced online criticism from his fans but he still remains a proud gay.
3. Silas Miami
Silas Miami is a South African based Kenyan filmmaker who once posted his white male partner on his social, announcing to his fans that he was happy in his relationship with the man.
4. Anita Nderu
Kenyans knew about Anita Nderu’s sexuality when she posted on her socials expressing her wish that her children should not undergo the same discrimination she has because of her sexuality. Kenyans ridiculed her but the came out strongly affirming that people should be allowed to form their own identities rather than being forced to conform to existing norms. “I will never be bullied into silence. As human beings we have the right to refuse to be defined by what other people think rather we must define ourselves,” she said.
According to Ghafla.com, she later changed her mind about being a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The Star had reported the news anchor as having asked Kenyans to embrace LGBTQ as a norm.
5. Makena Njeri
Makena Njeri is a former Tahidi High Actress who dated Michelle Ntalami before she allegedly cheated on her. Makena Njeri is the founder of Bold Network Africa, which serves as a voice for the disenfranchised people of the queer community in Africa.
6. Notiflow
Noti Flow is a gifted Kenyan female rapper. She has always been open about her sexuality. Per Nairobi News, Noti Flow has had a short term relationship with Vanessa Chettle and previously released videos in support of LGBTQ. Noti Flow has also been linkd to King Alami (an Instagram influencer)
7. Brenda Jons (Mama Kingston)
Mama Kingston, also Brenda Jons, is a Kenyan content creator who revealed her sexuality to her Kenyan fans before finding out that her girlfriend had cheated on her almost immediately. She then confessed that the news of being cheated on broke her heart.
8. Michelle Ntalami
Michelle Ntalami is the founder of haircare brand Marini Naturals. For a long time she has been the dream of every man until she decided to come out as gay, disappointing many in the process. She dated fellow celebrity Makena Njeri and the two separated. A year later, Michelle wrote this on her socials: “It is the month I once shared with the world my own story to release my hurt and begin my healing finally. It is the month many of you told me that I unknowingly saved them too, just by sharing my own experiences regarding life’s storms. (Yes, fam, you are not alone.) It is usually the one month in my lifetime, I may have been down on the ground, but I have risen like the phoenix I am.”
