Kenya Court Convicts Jacktone Odhiambo for Murder of LGBTQ Activist Edwin Chiloba

A Kenyan court has convicted Jacktone Odhiambo for the murder of LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba, which occurred almost two years ago. Odhiambo, a former housemate of Chiloba, was found guilty based on DNA evidence linking him to the crime. The murder, which involved significant violence and severe acts of hate, has drawn international condemnation and highlighted issues facing the LGBTQ community in Kenya. Odhiambo is scheduled for sentencing on December 16.

In a significant legal development, a Kenyan court has found Jacktone Odhiambo guilty of the murder of LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, better known as Edwin Chiloba. The court in Eldoret determined that the prosecution effectively demonstrated Odhiambo’s accountability for the death, which occurred nearly two years ago. Chiloba’s remains were discovered abandoned in a metal box by the roadside, prompting widespread outrage from human rights organizations who condemned the act as driven by hate due to his sexual orientation.

Judge Reuben Nyakundi stated that the evidence presented, which included DNA tests, clearly implicated Odhiambo in the murder. He further noted that Odhiambo exhibited not only a malicious intent but also deep-seated animosity against Chiloba, whom he was believed to have been involved with. The case drew international attention, highlighting the risks faced by the LGBTQ community in Kenya.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Chiloba’s death was as a result of smothering, with post-mortem findings confirming oxygen deprivation as the cause of demise. The horrific circumstances surrounding his death involved socks stuffed into his mouth and denim material bound around his face. The timeline established the murder as occurring between December 31, 2022, and January 3, 2023, to which Odhiambo pleaded not guilty.

Edwin Chiloba was a prominent LGBTQ activist in Kenya, whose murder has raised crucial questions about the safety and rights of sexual minorities in the region. This case brought to light the severe risks faced by LGBTQ individuals, particularly in nations where their existence is often stigmatized or criminalized. The discovery of Chiloba’s body in early 2023 spurred advocacy from numerous human rights groups, emphasizing the need for justice and protection for LGBTQ rights in Africa.

The conviction of Jacktone Odhiambo marks a pivotal moment in the quest for justice for Edwin Chiloba and the broader LGBTQ community in Kenya and beyond. As Odhiambo awaits sentencing on December 16, legal advocates and human rights organizations are hopeful that this ruling will lead to increased awareness and protective measures for vulnerable communities. Such a landmark decision showcases the ongoing battle against discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation.

Original Source: www.bbc.com