A Kenyan court has found photographer Jacktone Odhiambo guilty of murdering LGBT activist Edwin Chiloba, whose shocking death has raised calls for greater protection of LGBT individuals in a conservative society.
Court Convicts Housemate in Gruesome Murder of Kenyan LGBT Activist
Court Convicts Housemate in Gruesome Murder of Kenyan LGBT Activist
The conviction of Jacktone Odhiambo for the murder of Edwin Chiloba highlights ongoing challenges for LGBT rights in Kenya.
A court in Eldoret, Kenya, has convicted photographer Jacktone Odhiambo for the tragic murder of Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, widely known as Edwin Chiloba, a prominent LGBT activist and fashion designer. The ruling comes nearly two years after Chiloba's body was discovered stuffed in a metal box on the roadside, leading to international outcry regarding the treatment of LGBT individuals in a country where homosexuality remains illegal.
The court found that the evidence presented by the prosecution, which included DNA tests and testimonies from 23 witnesses, sufficiently linked Odhiambo to the crime. Judge Reuben Nyakundi stated that the suspect had demonstrated a clear intent and animosity towards Chiloba, a sentiment underscored by the horrific nature of the murder.
Chiloba, a university student at the time of his death, was found with socks forced into his mouth and denim material tied around his face, with autopsy reports indicating suffocation as the cause of death. Despite a convoluted relationship dynamic between the two men, the court did not establish a definitive motive for the murder.
The case has garnered global attention, prompting human rights organizations to condemn the act and advocate for the rights of LGBTQ individuals living in Kenya, where societal norms remain deeply conservative and discriminatory. Recent affirmations by Kenya's Supreme Court do grant LGBT individuals the right to associate and form advocacy organizations, yet the underlying threat persists in a community that often faces violence and prejudice.
Odhiambo's sentencing is scheduled for December 16, and advocates view this ruling as a crucial step toward accountability in the ongoing fight for justice and equality for all LGBTQ residents of Kenya and beyond.
