Kenyan photographer gets 50 years for murdering LGBTQ+ activist

Kenyan photographer Jacktone Odhiambo was sentenced to 50 years in prison for murdering his housemate, LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, popularly known as Edwin Chiloba, nearly two years ago.

Judge Reuben Nyakundi said the sentence for decades was based on the "diabolical method" of the murder.

Chiloba, a 25-year-old fashion designer, he was strangled to death and his body dumped in a metal box on the side of the road in Eldoret.

The murder sent shock waves through Kenya's LGBTQ+ community.

Judge Nyakundi said Odhiambo, 25, showed no remorse for the murder.

However, after the sentence was read out, Odhiambo caused a stir in the courtroom by falling down and crying.

"I considered all the factors and I found that Odhiambo was a vengeful man who killed his close friend," said the judge.

Chiloba and Odhiambo had been housemates living near the University of Eldoret where Chiloba was a student. Some reported that the two men were in a relationship.

The prosecution, led by Mark Mugun, told the court that Odhiambo looted the activist's money after killing him.

Evidence from 23 witnesses, including DNA tests linking Odhiambo to the crime scene, was also presented by the prosecution.

Chiloba's body was found with socks stuffed in his mouth and a piece of denim tied around his face.

A post-mortem indicated that he had died of asphyxiation, caused by suffocation.

The evidence also showed that the suspect had sexually assaulted Chiloba before his death.

There had been speculation that this was a case of the murder of an intimate partner, but the court did not find any motive for the murder.


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