Kenyan photographer Jacktone Odhiambo has been handed a hefty 50-year prison sentence for the murder of his housemate, Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, widely known as Edwin Chiloba. The ruling comes nearly two years after the fashion designer's gruesome murder in January 2023, which rattled the LGBTQ+ community across the nation.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Reuben Nyakundi labeled the killing as perpetrated in a "diabolical manner." The court learned that 25-year-old Chiloba's life was tragically cut short when he was smothered and subsequently dumped in a metal box by the roadside in Eldoret. Judge Nyakundi noted that Odhiambo displayed no signs of regret for his actions. Following the verdict, he shocked onlookers in the courtroom by collapsing and crying.
Judge Nyakundi further characterized Odhiambo as a vengeful individual who took the life of someone close to him. Both men had resided together near the University of Eldoret, where Chiloba was a student. Speculation surrounding their relationship added layers to the case.
The prosecution, led by Mark Mugun, highlighted the circumstances and aftermath of the murder, revealing that Odhiambo allegedly misused Chiloba's funds after his death. A comprehensive examination of evidence—including testimonies from 23 witnesses and DNA analysis linking Odhiambo to the scene—painted a stark picture. The post-mortem results confirmed that Chiloba died from asphyxiation due to smothering, with further evidence indicating that he had been sexually assaulted before his murder.
While discussions emerged around the possibility of this being an intimate partner homicide, the court did not draw definitive conclusions regarding the motivations behind the murder, leaving many questions unanswered. Chiloba’s tragic death has not only raised alarm bells over the violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya but has also spotlighted the urgent need for further dialogue on their rights and protections in a country where anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments persist.
