Kenyan Photographer Sentenced To 50 Years For Murder Of LGBTQ Activist Edwin Chiloba
A Kenyan court has sentenced freelance photographer Jacktone Odhiambo to 50 years in prison for the murder of prominent LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, popularly known as Edwin Chiloba.
The killing, which occurred in January 2023, sent shockwaves through Kenya’s LGBTQ community and drew widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations. Initially speculated to be a hate crime, investigations revealed that Odhiambo, who was Chiloba’s housemate and lover, was behind the brutal act.
Delivering the verdict, Judge Reuben Nyakundi described the murder as “diabolical,” stating that the severe sentence was reflective of the heinous manner in which the crime was carried out.
A post-mortem report revealed that Chiloba, a 25-year-old model and fashion designer, was smothered to death. Denim fabric was tied around his mouth and nose, and socks were stuffed into his mouth. His body was later discovered 40 kilometers outside Eldoret, reportedly dumped from a moving car.
The murder of Chiloba, a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights in Kenya, sparked conversations about safety and acceptance for LGBTQ individuals in the country, where discrimination and violence against the community remain prevalent.
Odhiambo’s sentencing is seen as a milestone in the pursuit of justice for Chiloba, though it also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in Kenya and beyond.
