Kenyan court convicts housemate for LGBTQ activist’s murder

A Kenyan court has found an LBGTQ activist’s housemate guilty of murder in the activist’s death, which was discovered two years ago stored in a metal box.

A High Court judge in the western city of Eldoret ruled Wednesday that the prosecution had proven that Jacktone Odhiambo suffocated Edwin Chiloba and buried his body in a metal box put on the road with the assistance of his brother and cousin.

Odhiambo denied killing his housemate, despite DNA traces discovered on the victim’s body and witnesses claiming to have heard the two argue and saw Odhiambo move the metal box.

DNA evidence suggested that the two had a close physical relationship, but the court did not rule on the reason for the killing.

Chiloba’s death in January 2023 garnered global attention at the time due to sentiments toward gay rights in Kenya, where sex between men is outlawed and LGBTQ persons have complained of harassment and violence. However, the police ruled out the likelihood that the homicide was a hate crime and arrested Odhiambo, who lived in the same house as Chiloba in Eldoret.

Police said they discovered the rotting remains of a guy disguised in women’s clothing in a metal box after a motorcycle taxi rider noticed occupants in a car drop the box.

Chiloba studied fashion design at the University of Eldoret and was well-known in the country’s LGBTQ community for his fashion sense, activism, and advocacy against prejudice.

Kenya is generally a conservative nation, and the president has previously stated that LGBT rights are not an issue in the East African country.