A Kenyan court has convicted photographer Jacktone Odhiambo for the murder of LGBT activist Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, also known as Edwin Chiloba. Chiloba’s body was discovered in a metal box nearly two years ago in Eldoret, where he was a university student.
The court in Eldoret determined that the prosecution successfully proved Odhiambo’s involvement in the killing. The murder, which sparked international outrage, was widely believed to have been motivated by Chiloba’s sexuality, as Kenya’s conservative society criminalizes gay sex, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
Judge Reuben Nyakundi highlighted that DNA evidence connected Odhiambo to the crime, also revealing that Chiloba had been sexually assaulted before being murdered. The court found that the defendant’s actions were driven by malice and a deep-seated hatred toward the victim.
“He was a young man whom you strangled until he lost his life at the peak of his life. You were close friends, and you should have protected his life,” said the judge.
The court did not make any finding about the motive for the killing.
Chiloba’s body was found in early January last year with socks stuffed into his mouth and a piece of denim from jeans tied around his face.
A post-mortem indicated that he had died from lack of oxygen, caused by smothering.
Odhiambo, who was believed to have been in a relationship with the deceased, was accused of killing Chiloba between 31 December 2022 and 3 January 2023. He had denied the charges.
On Wednesday, the prosecution said in a post on X that it had presented evidence from 23 witnesses “detailing the events leading to Chiloba’s death and proving beyond reasonable doubt that [Odhiambo] intentionally caused the unlawful death”.
The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said the “landmark ruling” was a “significant step toward justice for Edwin and all LGBTQ residents of Kenya, Africa and beyond”.
Odhiambo is due to be sentenced on 16 December.
