The Kenya High Commission in Canberra has confirmed the death of Sheila Chebii in Sydney, Australia. The mission said it received the news with sadness and has already begun engagement with Australian authorities to establish the exact circumstances surrounding her death.

In a statement issued on Monday, May 25, 2026, the High Commission said it is treating the matter with urgency and care.

“The Kenya High Commission in Canberra is deeply saddened by the death of Ms Sheila Chebii in Sydney, Australia,” it stated.

The mission added that it has conveyed condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Kenya. It said it stands with the family, relatives, friends, and the wider Kenyan community in Australia during what it described as a difficult and painful time. It also said consular support remains available to the family where needed.

Mission urges caution, ongoing probe

The High Commission said it is aware of concerns raised by members of the Kenyan community regarding the circumstances of the death. It confirmed that it is working with relevant authorities in Australia, including police and coroners, to obtain verified information. It said all updates will follow Australian legal and investigative procedures.

The mission stressed that it will rely only on official communication channels before releasing further public statements. It urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the spread of unverified information. It warned that misinformation could interfere with ongoing investigations and also cause distress to the bereaved family.

“The High Commission urges members of the public to refrain from speculation or dissemination of unverified information while the relevant authorities undertake the necessary investigations and coronial processes,” the statement read.

The High Commission said it remains committed to protecting the welfare and interests of Kenyan nationals living in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region. It added that it will continue to engage through diplomatic and consular channels within its mandate and provide updates once official and verified information becomes available.

Officials also reassured the Kenyan community that the situation is being closely monitored. They said consular officers in Canberra and Sydney are in contact with local authorities and community representatives to ensure proper communication and support where necessary.

The mission further said it is coordinating efforts to ensure the family receives assistance in line with consular practice. It reiterated its condolences and asked for privacy for the family as investigations continue.

Circumstances of death disputed

Chebii is reported to have died after reporting to her workplace in Sydney, Australia. According to information shared by relatives, she had just checked into her shift at a five-star hotel when the incident occurred. The High Commission said it is still working with Australian authorities, including police and coroners, to establish the exact cause of death and the sequence of events leading to her demise.

Family members, however, have raised questions over the circumstances. They claim she may have fallen from the 19th floor and was later found on the fourth floor of the building where she worked. The family has also questioned CCTV coverage, claiming that footage only captured her entering a hallway on the 19th floor before she disappeared from view.

They further point to reported inconsistencies in timelines, including claims that she may have made phone calls and sent messages around the same time police records suggest she died. Authorities have not confirmed these claims and investigations remain ongoing.

Chebii reportedly left Kenya on April 4, 2026, travelling through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for Australia, where she had gone to pursue further studies. She had enrolled for a master’s degree in accounting and auditing while also taking up part-time work at a five-star hotel in Sydney.

She is originally from Kobil village, Sambirir, in Marakwet East Sub-county, Elgeyo Marakwet County. Her death was confirmed to the family on Sunday, May 17, 2026, barely over a month after she arrived in Australia. She was the fourth child in a family of five. Relatives described her as disciplined, focused, and academically gifted.

She graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and was also pursuing Certified Public Accountant (CPA(K)) studies.

The High Commission has urged caution over the spread of unverified information, warning that speculation could interfere with investigations and deepen distress for the family. It has maintained that only official findings from Australian authorities will be relied upon as the matter proceeds through police and coronial processes.

The case adds to a growing number of deaths of Kenyans reported abroad in recent years, particularly among students and workers in foreign countries. Many of these cases have triggered public concern and calls from families for clearer communication, faster investigations, and stronger consular follow-up from Kenyan missions as they wait for official findings from host countries.