The case has raised international concern over the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals and the judicial response to violent crimes against them.
**Kenyan Photographer Sentenced to 50 Years for Murdering LGBTQ+ Activist**
**Kenyan Photographer Sentenced to 50 Years for Murdering LGBTQ+ Activist**
A landmark ruling highlights the persistent challenges surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Kenya.
In a significant legal decision, Jacktone Odhiambo, a 25-year-old Kenyan photographer, received a 50-year prison sentence for the brutal murder of his housemate, Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, known as Edwin Chiloba. The ruling, delivered by Judge Reuben Nyakundi, underscores the egregious nature of the crime, which involved smothering Chiloba and disposing of his body in a metal box alongside a roadside in Eldoret, an event that has sent ripples of fear through the local LGBTQ+ community.
Judge Nyakundi emphasized that Odhiambo demonstrated a lack of remorse during the trial, further aggravating the horrific nature of the crime. Following the reading of the sentence, Odhiambo reportedly broke down in tears in the courtroom. The judge characterized him as vengeful and indicated that their intertwined lives—having lived together near the University of Eldoret where Chiloba was studying fashion design—were marked by underlying tensions.
The prosecution outlined how, after the murder, Odhiambo exploited Chiloba’s finances, signaling a likely motive tied to personal grievances. Vital evidence presented in court included testimonies from 23 witnesses, alongside DNA analysis linking Odhiambo definitively to the crime scene. The post-mortem findings indicated that Chiloba had suffered asphyxiation—a result of being smothered—while disturbing details emerged regarding the conditions of his death, including socks stuffed into his mouth and a piece of denim tied around his face.
While the court proceedings raised speculation regarding the nature of the relationship between the two men and whether this was an intimate partner murder, no formal conclusions regarding the motive were drawn in the verdict. Nonetheless, the case continues to trigger discussions around LGBTQ+ rights and safety in Kenya, a nation that has witnessed mounting tensions and legal discussions regarding the protection of sexual minorities in recent years.
Judge Nyakundi emphasized that Odhiambo demonstrated a lack of remorse during the trial, further aggravating the horrific nature of the crime. Following the reading of the sentence, Odhiambo reportedly broke down in tears in the courtroom. The judge characterized him as vengeful and indicated that their intertwined lives—having lived together near the University of Eldoret where Chiloba was studying fashion design—were marked by underlying tensions.
The prosecution outlined how, after the murder, Odhiambo exploited Chiloba’s finances, signaling a likely motive tied to personal grievances. Vital evidence presented in court included testimonies from 23 witnesses, alongside DNA analysis linking Odhiambo definitively to the crime scene. The post-mortem findings indicated that Chiloba had suffered asphyxiation—a result of being smothered—while disturbing details emerged regarding the conditions of his death, including socks stuffed into his mouth and a piece of denim tied around his face.
While the court proceedings raised speculation regarding the nature of the relationship between the two men and whether this was an intimate partner murder, no formal conclusions regarding the motive were drawn in the verdict. Nonetheless, the case continues to trigger discussions around LGBTQ+ rights and safety in Kenya, a nation that has witnessed mounting tensions and legal discussions regarding the protection of sexual minorities in recent years.
