A Kenyan court has rendered a guilty verdict against a housemate accused of murdering a prominent LGBTQ activist, whose body was discovered in a metal box two years ago. The judgment marks a significant development in a case that captured global attention due to its implications on gay rights in Kenya.
A High Court judge in Eldoret, a city in western Kenya, announced that the prosecution successfully demonstrated Jacktone Odhiambo’s culpability in the murder of Edwin Chiloba. Evidence presented included eyewitness testimony and DNA samples that linked Odhiambo to the crime, despite his persistent denials. Witnesses reported hearing a heated argument between Odhiambo and Chiloba and observed Odhiambo transporting the metal box containing Chiloba’s body.
Further investigation revealed DNA evidence suggesting an intimate relationship between the two men. Although the court did not establish a specific motive for the killing, these findings played a pivotal role in the prosecution’s case. The court, however, dismissed notions that the murder was a hate crime, which initially concerned many due to the prevailing attitudes towards LGBTQ individuals in Kenya.
The case escalated in public visibility following the discovery of Chiloba’s body in January 2023. A motorcycle taxi rider alerted authorities after witnessing a car dumping the box on a road, which prompted police to find Chiloba’s decomposing body dressed in women’s clothes inside. Chiloba was widely recognized within Kenya’s LGBTQ community for his vibrant fashion sense and advocacy against discrimination.
The court’s decision underscores a complex legal environment for LGBTQ rights within Kenya, where same-sex relations remain criminalized. Police investigations concluded that the motive was personal rather than a societal attack. Still, the verdict highlights the severe risks faced by LGBTQ individuals in a predominantly conservative society.
The conviction of Jacktone Odhiambo in the murder of Edwin Chiloba is both a judicial resolution and a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Kenya. As the legal system continues to process such cases, the balance between justice and societal attitudes remains a delicate one. This ruling may influence future dialogues on LGBTQ rights in the country.
Source: Apnews
