A Kenyan court has sentenced Jacktone Odhiambo, the housemate of prominent LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Chiloba, to 50 years in prison for his murder.
Chiloba’s mutilated body was discovered inside a metal box nearly two years ago, a case that captured global attention and highlighted challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya.
The High Court in Eldoret found Odhiambo guilty of the January 2023 killing, a crime that sparked international outrage.
Kenya remains a largely conservative society where LGBTQ+ rights face significant opposition, and same-sex relations are criminalized. President William Ruto has previously described gay rights as a nonissue in the country.
Chiloba was a well-known activist within Kenya’s LGBTQ+ community, advocating against discrimination and promoting equality.
Despite his denial of the charges, Odhiambo’s DNA was found on the victim’s body.
The court noted evidence of an intimate relationship between the two men but did not establish a specific motive for the murder.
Witnesses testified during the trial, recounting an argument between the housemates and Odhiambo’s actions in moving the metal box that contained Chiloba’s body.
Justice Reuben Nyakundi, who presided over the case, stated that Odhiambo had premeditated the crime, waiting for an opportunity after they returned home from a nightclub. Chiloba’s body bore marks on his hands, suggesting he fought back during the attack.
While police ruled out the killing as a hate crime, the case has underscored the discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya.
Activists continue to call for greater protections and equality in a society where acceptance remains limited.
Odhiambo retains the right to appeal his sentencing, but the ruling marks a significant chapter in the fight for justice for Chiloba and Kenya’s LGBTQ+ community.
