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Kenyan photographer Jacktone Odhiambo has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for murdering his housemate, LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, popularly known as Edwin Chiloba, nearly two years ago.
Judge Reuben Nyakundi said the decades-long sentence was based on the “diabolical manner” of the killing.
Chiloba, a 25-year-old fashion designer, he died of suffocation and his body was thrown into a metal box on the side of the road in Eldoret.
The killing sent shock waves through Kenya’s LGBTQ+ community.
Judge Nyakundi said Odhiambo, 25, showed no remorse for the murder.
However, after the sentence was read, Odhiambo caused an uproar in the courtroom by breaking down and crying.
“I have considered all the factors and found that Odhiambo was a vindictive person who committed the murder of his close friend,” the judge said.
Chiloba and Odhiambo had been housemates living near the University of Eldoret, where Chiloba was a student. There were some reports that the two men were in a relationship.
The prosecution, led by Mark Mugun, told the court that Odhiambo spent the activist’s money after killing him.
The prosecution also presented evidence from 23 witnesses, including DNA evidence that linked Odhiambo to the crime scene.
Chiloba’s body was found with socks in her mouth and a piece of denim tied over her face.
The autopsy indicated that she had died of asphyxiation, caused by asphyxiation.
Evidence also showed that the suspect had sexually assaulted Chiloba before taking her life.
There had been speculation that this was a case of the murder of an intimate partner, but the court made no determination as to the motive for the murder.
