Kenyan Photographer Convicted for Murder of Close Friend and LGBT Activist ‘Edwin Chiloba’

Chiloba’s body was discovered in a metal box on a roadside in Eldoret, where he had been a university student.

The verdict, delivered in Eldoret, marks a significant development in a case that drew international attention nearly two years ago.

Judge Reuben Nyakundi ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Odhiambo, who had been living with Chiloba and was believed to have been in a relationship with him, intentionally caused his death. Evidence presented included DNA tests and witness testimonies, indicating that Odhiambo had sexually assaulted Chiloba before strangling him.

“You were close friends, and you should have protected his life. Instead, you strangled him at the peak of his life,” the judge stated.
Chiloba’s body was found in early January 2023 with signs of smothering, including socks stuffed into his mouth and denim tied around his face. A post-mortem confirmed that he died from lack of oxygen.

The case sparked global outrage, with human rights groups suggesting that Chiloba’s murder was motivated by his sexuality.

Kenya, a conservative society, criminalizes gay sex with penalties of up to 14 years in prison, although there have been no recent convictions.

However, in a landmark decision last year, Kenya’s Supreme Court upheld the right of LGBT individuals to associate and form rights organizations.

The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission hailed the ruling as a “landmark judgment,” emphasizing its importance for justice for Chiloba and the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya and beyond.

Odhiambo, who denied the charges, will be sentenced on December 16.

The prosecution, which relied on testimonies from 23 witnesses, stated that the evidence demonstrated Odhiambo’s deliberate intent to kill Chiloba.
This ruling is seen as a pivotal moment in addressing violence against LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya, where discrimination remains pervasive.