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A Kenyan court docket has convicted a photographer for the homicide of LGBT activist Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, popularly often called Edwin Chiloba, whose body was found dumped in a metal box almost two years in the past.
The court docket within the western metropolis of Eldoret dominated that the prosecution had proved that Jacktone Odhiambo, who was residing with Chiloba, had killed him.
Chiloba’s physique had been discovered dumped on the roadside in Eldoret, the place he was a college scholar.
The homicide sparked international condemnation, with human rights teams saying it was due to his sexuality.
Kenya is a comparatively conservative society and homosexual intercourse is illegitimate, punishable by as much as 14 years in jail, though it’s not clear whether or not there was any convictions.
However the Supreme Court final yr affirmed a ruling permitting LGBT folks the best to affiliate and register a rights organisation.
Judge Reuben Nyakundi dominated that the proof, which included DNA exams, had linked the accused to the homicide.
The proof additionally indicated that the suspect had sexually assaulted Chiloba earlier than killing him.
The decide mentioned the prosecution had proved the suspect’s deliberate intention and deep hatred in opposition to the deceased.
“He was a young man whom you strangled until he lost his life at the peak of his life. You were close friends, and you should have protected his life,” mentioned the decide.
The court docket didn’t make any discovering in regards to the motive for the killing.
Chiloba’s physique was present in early January final yr with socks stuffed into his mouth and a chunk of denim from denims tied round his face.
A autopsy indicated that he had died from lack of oxygen, brought on by smothering.
Odhiambo, who was believed to have been in a relationship with the deceased, was accused of killing Chiloba between 31 December 2022 and three January 2023. He had denied the fees.
On Wednesday, the prosecution mentioned in a put up on X that it had introduced proof from 23 witnesses “detailing the events leading to Chiloba’s death and proving beyond reasonable doubt that [Odhiambo] intentionally caused the unlawful death”.
The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission mentioned the “landmark ruling” was a “significant step toward justice for Edwin and all LGBTQ residents of Kenya, Africa and beyond”.
Odhiambo is because of be sentenced on 16 December.
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