Jacktone Odhiambo Sentenced for Chiloba Murder

Jacktone Odhiambo has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the brutal murder of LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba, whose body was discovered in a metal box in January 2023. The court found Odhiambo guilty of premeditated murder, noting the gruesome details of Chiloba's death, including asphyxiation caused by socks stuffed in his mouth and denim tied around his face. Justice Reuben Nyakundi emphasized the lack of remorse displayed by Odhiambo and the overwhelming DNA evidence linking him to the crime scene. The case has drawn significant attention to the treatment of LGBTQ individuals in Kenya, where homosexuality remains illegal and stigmatized. Although initially suspected to be a hate crime, the court did not find evidence supporting this theory. Odhiambo has the option to appeal the sentence, but the ruling has been celebrated by rights activists as a step toward justice in a challenging environment for LGBTQ rights in Kenya.