Kenyan photographer Jacktone Odhiambo has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for murdering his roommate, LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, popularly known as Edwin Chiloba, almost two years ago.
Judge Reuben Nyakundi said the decade-long sentence was based on the “diabolical nature” of the killing.
Chiloba, a 25-year-old fashion designer, was suffocated and his body was thrown into a metal box on the side of the road in Eldoret.
The murder sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya.
Judge Nyakundi said 25-year-old Odhiambo had shown no remorse for the murder.
But after the verdict was read, Odhiambo caused a stir in the courtroom by falling down and crying.
“I have considered all factors and found that Odhiambo was a vengeful person who committed the murder of his close friend,” the judge said.
Chiloba and Odhiambo were roommates and lived 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 wasted the activist’s money after killing him.
The prosecution also presented evidence from 23 witnesses, including DNA testing, linking Odhiambo to the crime scene.
Chiloba’s body was found with socks in his mouth and a piece of denim around his face.
An autopsy revealed he died of asphyxiation.
The evidence also showed that the suspect sexually abused Chiloba before taking his own life.
There was speculation that it was a case of partner murder, but the court did not provide any information about the motive.
