Sentencing of LGBTQ+ Activist Murder Draws Attention to Homophobia in Kenya

Jacktone Odhiambo has received a 50-year prison sentence for the murder of his housemate and LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Chiloba, following a case that underscores systemic issues of violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya.

In a landmark ruling, Kenyan photographer Jacktone Odhiambo, aged 25, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for murdering his housemate and LGBTQ+ activist, Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, known to many as Edwin Chiloba. The judge, Reuben Nyakundi, emphasized that the severity of the sentence was warranted due to the "diabolical manner" in which the murder was committed.

Edwin Chiloba, a 25-year-old fashion designer and vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, was brutally murdered in January 2023, shocking not only the local community but also drawing international condemnation. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Chiloba was smothered to death, with his body discovered hidden in a metal box discarded on the roadside in Eldoret. Disturbingly, the post-mortem reported asphyxiation as the cause of death—the result of smothering—while socks had been stuffed into his mouth and denim tied around his face.

The prosecution’s case, brought forth by Mark Mugun, relied on testimony from 23 witnesses, including DNA evidence tying Odhiambo directly to the scene of the crime. It was revealed that Odhiambo had accessed and spent when he accessed Chiloba’s funds after the murder. The court heard of expectations surrounding their relationship, raising questions about potential motives, with speculation of it being an intimate partner murder. Yet, the court did not reach a definitive conclusion on this aspect.

As Odhiambo received his sentence, he displayed a sudden emotional breakdown in the courtroom, crying and collapsing. Judge Nyakundi remarked that Odhiambo had exhibited no remorse and labeled him a "vengeful" individual.

This tragic case continues to resonate, sparking both local and international dialogue about the precarious situation faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya, where societal prejudice and legal hurdles remain significant challenges. The community is urging for more robust protections against violence and discrimination, as the echoes of Chiloba’s life and tragic death instigate a broader conversation about human rights within the region.