The High Court in Eldoret is expected to deliver a highly anticipated ruling on Monday, sentencing Jacktone Odhiambo for the murder of LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo, popularly known as Chiloba.
Presiding Judge Reuben Nyakundi will determine the appropriate sentence for Odhiambo after finding him guilty of the murder, which garnered widespread attention.
Last week, Justice Nyakundi convicted Odhiambo of killing Chiloba, a University of Eldoret (UoE) student pursuing a degree in Apparel Fashion and Design. Chiloba’s decomposed body was discovered on January 3, 2023, inside a metallic box abandoned along the Kipkenyo-Kaptinga road in Uasin Gishu County.
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Eyewitness reports indicate that individuals who quickly fled the scene dumped the metallic box along the roadside. Investigations revealed that Chiloba was allegedly murdered in his Chepkolel Moiben apartment, where he lived with Odhiambo.
The court determined that Odhiambo intentionally caused Chiloba’s death, fulfilling the criteria for murder under Section 203 of Kenya’s Penal Code. Initially, five suspects were arrested in connection with the case, but only Odhiambo faced charges, as the other four were released.
Although Odhiambo pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, he later opted to withdraw his bail application.
