Jackton Odhiambo to be sentenced for murder of LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba

The High Court in Eldoret is on Monday set to sentence Jacktone Odhiambo, a freelance photographer over the murder of his alleged lover and LGBTQ rights activist Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo, alias Chiloba.

Eldoret High Court Presiding Judge Justice Reuben Nyakundi will decide what jail term to hand Odhiambo after he found him guilty of the high-profile killing.

Last week, Justice Nyakundi delivered a ruling convicting Odhiambo after the shocking murder of Chiloba, who was pursuing a degree course in Apparel Fashion and Design at the University of Eldoret (UoE).

Chiloba's decomposing body was discovered stashed in a metallic box along the Kipkenyo - Kaptinga road in Kapseret sub-county, Uasin Gishu county on January 3, 2023.

According to eyewitness accounts, his alleged killers dropped off the metallic box along the Kipkenyo-Katinga road before speeding off.

It is suspected that Chiloba was murdered at an apartment in Chepkolel, Moiben, where he lived with Odhiambo.

Justice Nyakundi found Odhimbo guilty of intentionally causing the death of his lover, thus meeting all the requisite elements of murder under Section 203 of the Penal Code.

Five suspects were subsequently arrested and arraigned in connection with the incident, among them Odhiambo. The other four suspects, however, were freed.

Odhiambo was later charged with murder, pleading not guilty to the offence. He subsequently applied for bail but dropped his application. 

Meanwhile, the judge is on Monday also set to sentence police constable Lilian Biwott accused of killing her husband at Kimumu estate in Eldoret.