MAKENA NJERI ON HIGH SCHOOL SUSPENSION FOR WRITING LOVE LETTERS TO A GIRL

LGBTQ+ activist Christine Makena Njeri Miriithi who now goes by the name Chris Muriithi has opened up on living as an queer person in Kenya.

In a recent interview with the Guardian, Chris talked about growing up on a farm in Nakuru and how her parents and friends simply viewed her as a tomboy.

Muriithi also revealed she was suspended from high school for writing love letters to a girl, “It was the first time I understood that I had different feelings to the other people, and that those feelings were frowned upon.”

Two years ago, Makena launched the Queer & Allied Chamber of Commerce Africa (QACC), a platform that supports queer-owned ventures to access funding and inclusive markets. A joint venture with two African LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, the aim is to help build the continent’s “pink economy” – the economic power of LGBTQ+ people – and increase social and political inclusion.

“It’s LinkedIn meets eBay for queer entrepreneurs to trade their services to the community and allies across Africa,” says Muriithi.