Jacktone Odhiambo found guilty of killing LGBTQ activist Chiloba

By Peter Ochieng

Photographer Jacktone Odhiambo has been found guilty of killing LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiptoo alias Chiloba.

He was found guilty before the Eldoret High Court, despite denying committing the murder between December 31, 2022, and January 3, 2023.

The gruesome murder, the court was told, was committed at Noble Breeze Apartment in the Chebisaas area of Uasin Gishu County.

The activist’s decomposing body was discovered dumped in a metallic box on January 3, 2023, along the busy Kipkenyo-Kaptinga road in Oscar Sudi’s Kapseret constituency.

Eldoret High Court judge Reuben Nyakundi said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

DNA tests, the judge said, showed that the victim and the suspect had an intimate relationship and were dear friends. Additionally, he noted that actions of the accused were planned, calculated, and with malice, adding that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was the last person seen with the deceased.

“I have looked at all evidence, including the last seen theory, forensic and DNA evidence, along with swabs taken and concluded that you were directly placed at the scene of crime," he informed the suspect.

“Witnesses also heard cries from the deceased at around 3am on the fateful night, and perhaps those were the last cries as he fought to save himself from your unlawful act. Jacktone, when you leave this court, I want you to reflect back on how you committed the offense and all that you did to terminate the life of your dear friend," the judge added.

However, the Court failed to find the motive of killing. The judge said the manner of the killing proved that Odhiambo had aforethought malice, and had deep hatred against the deceased.

The prosecution presented 22 witnesses against Odhiambo. The suspect will be sentenced on December 16.