Makena Njeri, a member of the queer community, has recalled being targeted with online attacks four years ago due to her LGBTQ+ identity.
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How Makena Njeri's association with LGBTQ+ community led to online trolls
Makena says she was trolled online for three weeks
Makena Njeri
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At that time, Makena was employed at the BBC, and she distinctly remembers being awakened from sleep by her phone persistently ringing at around 5 am.
“I opened the messages from my cousin who was like ‘what is going on?’. It was at that moment that it hit me that the previous night my car had been vandalized and all sorts of messages written on it,” Makena said.
Makena Njeri
Pulse Live Kenya
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Makena continued, revealing that she became a trending topic on Twitter after images of her car, which had been vandalized, were uploaded online.
She added that her sexuality was publicly disclosed during this incident, resulting in her trending for almost three weeks.
“So many people started writing the ‘gay journalist’, many people went into the discussion of sexualizing queer people," Makena said.
Makena Njeri
Pulse Live Kenya
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Everything that was going on in her life at the moment left her feeling depressed, especially after people started calling for her execution.
Njeri on losing friends
Makena Njeri, on her Instagram account, shares that her present pursuits have led her to cross paths with different people, including those from her own community.
"I have made new friends ranging from presidents, ambassadors and my new chosen family from my community," Makena wrote.
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Makena Njeri
Pulse Live Kenya
Makena admits that she has lost friends along the way, but she has also made new friends who hold great meaning to her.
Makena added that she has experienced her lowest moments financially, emotionally, and mentally.
She concluded by expressing her gratitude to everyone who has supported her throughout her journey.
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