Jacktone Odhiambo Sentenced to 50 Years for Murder of LGBTQ Activist Chiloba

In a case that has captured the nation’s attention, Jacktone Odhiambo has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the cold-blooded murder of LGBTQ activist and model Edwin Kiprotich, widely known as Chiloba. The Eldoret High Court delivered a landmark ruling that highlighted the challenges faced by Kenya’s LGBTQ community and the ongoing fight for equality in a deeply conservative society.

Justice Reuben Nyakundi described the murder as “premeditated and executed with extreme malice.” The court heard harrowing details of the crime, revealing that Odhiambo sexually assaulted Chiloba before smothering him to death. A piece of denim was tied around Chiloba’s mouth and nose, with socks stuffed into his mouth to silence him. His lifeless body was later dumped from a moving car, abandoned 40 kilometers (25 miles) outside Eldoret in a calculated and gruesome act that underscored the cruelty of the crime.

Although Kenya’s constitution has abolished the death penalty, Justice Nyakundi noted that the crime warranted such a punishment under previous laws. In its place, the court imposed a 50-year prison term, reflecting both the gravity of the offense and the profound emotional toll on Chiloba’s family. As their only son, Chiloba’s untimely death not only devastated his loved ones but also marked the tragic end of a generational legacy.

More than just a victim, Chiloba was a 25-year-old fashion designer and model whose life and work symbolized resilience in a society where homosexuality remains taboo. Kenya, like much of Africa, still enforces colonial-era laws criminalizing same-sex relationships, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

This case has reignited conversations about the safety and rights of Kenya’s LGBTQ community, which continues to face widespread harassment, discrimination, and violence in a predominantly conservative Christian nation.

Jacktone Odhiambo’s sentencing offers a measure of justice, but it also serves as a sobering reminder of the cultural and legal barriers that persist. For Chiloba’s family, the ruling brings some closure, but his absence leaves an unfillable void.

Chiloba’s legacy, however, endures. His memory remains a beacon of courage and defiance in a society that often silences voices like his, inspiring a renewed call for inclusivity, acceptance, and protection for vulnerable communities.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.