A Kenyan court has found a photographer guilty of murdering LGBT activist Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, widely known as Edwin Chiloba. His remains were discovered in a metal box nearly two years ago.
The court, located in the western city of Eldoret, determined that the prosecution successfully demonstrated that Jacktone Odhiambo, who cohabited with Chiloba, was responsible for the crime. Chiloba’s body was located on the roadside in Eldoret, where he was a university student.
The murder elicited international outrage, with human rights organizations asserting that it was motivated by his sexual orientation.
Kenya is generally a conservative nation, where homosexual acts are illegal and can result in a prison sentence of up to 14 years, although it remains unclear if any convictions have occurred.
Nonetheless, the Supreme Court affirmed a decision last year that granted LGBT individuals the right to form associations and register rights organizations.
Judge Reuben Nyakundi stated that the evidence, which included DNA analysis, established a connection between the accused and the murder.
The evidence presented also suggested that the suspect had sexually assaulted Chiloba prior to his murder.
The judge remarked that the prosecution had established the suspect’s intent and profound animosity towards the victim.
“You were a young man who strangled him until he lost his life at the height of his youth. As close friends, you should have safeguarded his life,” the judge stated.
The court did not determine the motive behind the murder. Chiloba’s remains were discovered in early January of the previous year, with socks stuffed in his mouth and a piece of denim from jeans tied around his face.
A post-mortem examination revealed that he died from asphyxiation due to smothering. Odhiambo, who was thought to have been in a relationship with the victim, was charged with Chiloba’s murder occurring between December 31, 2022, and January 3, 2023. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On Wednesday, the prosecution announced on X that it had provided testimony from 23 witnesses “chronicling the events leading to Chiloba’s death and demonstrating beyond a reasonable doubt that [Odhiambo] intentionally caused the unlawful death.”
The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission described the “landmark ruling” as a “significant step toward justice for Edwin and all LGBTQ individuals in Kenya, Africa, and beyond.”
Odhiambo is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16.
