The roommate of an LGBTQ+ activist in Kenya was sentenced Monday to 50 years in prison for the murder of Edwin Chiloba, whose mutilated body was discovered in a metal box almost two years ago.
The Eldoret High Court recognized Jacktone Odhiambo guilty of the January 2023 murder, which drew worldwide attention to the attitude towards gay rights in a Kenya largely conservative, where the president William Ruto declared that gay rights were not an issue and that sex between men was illegal.
Edwin Chiloba was well known in Kenya’s LGBTQ+ community for his activism against discrimination.
Jacktone Odhiambo denied killing his roommate, although samples of his DNA were found on the victim’s body. He can appeal the sentence. DNA evidence indicates that the two men had a intimate physical relationshipbut the court did not give an indication of the motive for the murder.
During the trial, witnesses testified that they heard the roommates arguing and later saw Jacktone Odhiambo moving the metal box.
Justice Reuben Nyakundi said in his judgment that Odhiambo planned the murder while waiting for the two young people to return home after an evening at a nightclub. Mr Chiloba had marks on his hands showing he had tried to defend himself, Mr Nyakundi said.
LGBTQ+ people have spoken out against discrimination and attacks in Kenya, but police have ruled out the killing as a hate crime.
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