The recent conviction of Jackton Odhiambo for the murder of Edwin Chiloba, a well-known gay rights figure, has intensified discussions on the dangerous environment facing LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya, following the activist's shocking death in January 2023.
Conviction in the Murder of Kenyan LGBTQ+ Activist Edwin Chiloba
Conviction in the Murder of Kenyan LGBTQ+ Activist Edwin Chiloba
A roommate has been found guilty of the gruesome murder of Edwin Chiloba, a notable gay rights activist in Kenya, raising concerns about safety within the LGBTQ+ community.
The roommate of Edwin Chiloba, a prominent Kenyan gay rights activist, was convicted on Wednesday for his murder, nearly two years after the shocking crime rocked the East African nation and instilled fear within its LGBTQ+ community. Chiloba's lifeless body was discovered stuffed inside a metal box along a roadside in Uasin Gishu County in January 2023, an event that spurred international advocacy for better protection of LGBTQ+ rights in Kenya.
Justice Reuben Nyambati Nyakundi of the Eldoret High Court announced that Jackton Odhiambo, 25, a freelance photographer who lived with Chiloba, had orchestrated the murder. The two were reportedly seen together returning to their shared home after an outing when the incident took a fatal turn. Neighbors reported hearing violent cries coming from their apartment, which abruptly stopped, raising alarms.
Furthermore, DNA evidence indicated that Odhiambo had sexual relations with Chiloba before the murder; however, Justice Nyakundi stated that the investigation revealed no clear motive for the crime. "I went for an expedition, and I could not find what could have been the motive of causing the death of your dear friend,” the judge expressed in court.
The conviction highlights ongoing issues surrounding the safety and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya, as activists continue to call for stronger protections in light of such tragic cases.
