Audio By Carbonatix
A Kenyan female bus conductor who has a beard has shared how she was stripped naked in a police cell to confirm her gender.
Theresia Mumbi told BBC Swahili that traffic police in the capital, Nairobi, arrested her and held in a cell with other women.
"Two officers came and told me to take off my clothes. They then examined me. I’m not sure what they saw but they told me to return to my cell," she said.
She says that the July 2018 arrest over identification documents is still fresh in her mind. She presented her documents and was let go.
Ms Mumbi's experience made her an advocate for women with unusual features and now she tells her story to create awareness and encourage others to speak out when harassed.
Ms Mumbi was diagnosed with hormonal imbalance that resulted to her having a beard.
As a young woman she had to shave her beard often until her skin got irritated by the frequent shaving.
"Some years back I had to suspend shaving at some point because my skin was becoming irritable and the stubborn sores were a problem," she said.
The beard grew and she started hiding from people opting to shop at night.
Pushed by the hard economic times she became a bus conductor to earn a living.
While at work she meets women with unique conditions and encourages them.
She is part of an association of bearded women in Kenya and during their meetings she speaks to the younger women.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Kofi Bentil says Ofori-Atta is hesitant to return over treatment, not charges
5 minutes -
GSA debunks cement price hike claims, says Jan. 19 increase is false
10 minutes -
Driver rams into robbers, foils MoMo robbery at Darkuman
15 minutes -
Smallholders at the centre: Why innovation and diversification are pivotal for Africa’s food future
25 minutes -
Plans underway to establish museum on northern Ghana’s slave history in Navrongo
31 minutes -
4 killed including two children as runaway truck ploughed into Salon at Kumawu
39 minutes -
Open letter to Chief Justice on judicial security, specialised prosecution and extradition
40 minutes -
NACSA warns of arrests as final gun amnesty deadline approaches
41 minutes -
Eastern NPP Chairman backs Bryan Acheampong for 2028 flagbearer slot
41 minutes -
WEF flags unemployment as Ghana’s biggest economic threat in 2026
44 minutes -
Fire guts warehouse at Ashaiman Gulf City
48 minutes -
NCC urges government to revitalise Kumasi Cultural Centre ahead of major events
1 hour -
Government exceeds Treasury bill target in January auction
1 hour -
Afigya Kwabre North MP pledges strong support for Bawumia ahead of NPP primaries
1 hour -
Prof Prempeh questions DVLA’s plan to build drivers’ hospital
1 hour
