Kenyan Man Linked to LGBTQ Activism Faces Deportation from Sweden

Kenyan activist Stephen Thairu Kamau faces possible deportation from Sweden, despite warnings from human rights groups that his return to Kenya could place him at serious risk of harm.

Kamau, a Kenyan national from Nakuru County, left his home in 2022 and later reappeared in Sweden, where he is now subject to deportation proceedings. Human rights organisations argue that sending him back would expose him to credible threats from both his family and members of his local community.

According to reports from Kenya, Kamau’s family has publicly disowned him and issued hostile statements against him. Community members are also reported to have made threats, raising concerns that he could face violence if he were to return.

Rights groups say Kamau was previously active online in discussions and campaigns related to LGBTQ issues. In Kenya, where such matters remain highly sensitive, even perceived involvement can lead to harassment, attacks, or other forms of abuse. Advocates stress that individuals associated with LGBTQ activism often face serious personal danger, regardless of the extent of their involvement.

Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact on others connected to the case. Reports indicate that a child linked to Kamau may be exposed to hostility by association, increasing fears about the wider consequences of deportation.

Legal specialists point to international refugee law, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits states from returning individuals to countries where they face a real risk of persecution, serious harm, or death. They argue that this obligation applies where credible threats can be demonstrated.

Human rights organisations are urging Swedish immigration authorities to suspend the deportation process, warning that the case raises serious questions about compliance with international protection standards. They say the outcome could have implications for how similar cases are handled in the future.