Roommate convicted of killing Kenyan gay rights activist

The roommate of a prominent gay activist in Kenya was convicted of his murder on Wednesday, nearly two years after the gruesome murder shocked the East African country and spread chilling fear among its gay community.

Activist Edwin Chiloba was found dead and stuffed in a metal box on the side of the road in January 2023 in Uasin Gishu county in the west of the country. This incident sparked international calls from activists and human rights groups for Kenya to better protect its LGBTQ community.

On Wednesday, a Supreme Court judge said Jackton Odhiambo, a 25-year-old freelance photographer and roommate of Mr. Chiloba, planned the murder. The two were last seen on the stairs to their shared apartment after a night of drinking. Witnesses then heard screams coming from the apartment, which fell silent after a short time.

DNA evidence collected at the crime scene showed that Mr Odhiambo had sexual intercourse with Mr Chiloba before killing him, said the judge, Justice Reuben Nyambati Nyakundi of the Eldoret High Court. However, a review of the evidence revealed nothing about Mr Odhiambo’s motive for the killing.

“I went on an expedition and could not find out what could have been the motive for the death of your dear friend,” Judge Nyakundi said.