By Antoinette Lattouf and Soaliha Iqbal
A 25-year-old Kenyan woman died at work at a well-known Sydney apartment building more than two weeks ago.
Her family alleges inconsistencies in the police investigation and inadequate communication with relevant authorities, the case has been raised twice in Kenya's parliament, hundreds have taken to the streets in Sydney demanding answers, police are now examining possibilities beyond self-harm, and yet Australian media hasn’t touched the story.
Let’s investigate why.
Sheila Jepkorir Chebii arrived in Australia on 5 April 2026. She's an international student who was working part-time at the Meriton Suites on Pitt Street in Sydney CBD when she died on 17 May.
The circumstances of her death remain unclear. Her family says they were denied access to CCTV footage for more than two weeks and have questioned the official account of what happened. The case was initially treated as self-harm, but Ette Media understands investigators are now also examining whether Sheila may have fallen and whether workplace safety breaches were a factor.
In Kenya, Sheila's death has received significant media attention. It has also been raised twice in parliament, with speakers citing allegations of a "possible cover-up" and concerns about inconsistencies surrounding her death.
According to Kenyan media, Sheila's family and community say they have been kept in the dark about the circumstances surrounding Sheila's death and have repeatedly called for transparency.
"If this were truly an accident, then we want transparency. We want to see CCTV footage from the hotel. We want investigators to explain her final moments," Sheila's father, Samuel Chebii, told local media.
Meanwhile in Australia, there has been no mainstream media coverage despite a community rallies demanding answers outside the Meriton in Sydney on Tuesday where scores of people gathered.
People gathered outside the Meriton Suites in Sydney's CBD on Tuesday to call for justice and transparency regarding the death of Sheila Chebii.
Betty Langat, a Kenyan migrant in Australia who has been at the forefront of campaigning for answers, told Ette Media the silence has been difficult to understand.
"We're still demanding answers. The police have been quiet, the media have been quiet," she said.
"Nobody has literally ever even taken a minute to talk to us."
