A Kenyan photographer has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of an LGBTQ+ activist

Kenyan photographer Jackton Odhiambo has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of his roommate, LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kiproto, known as Edwin Chiluba, almost two years ago.

Judge Robin Nyakundi said the decades-long prison sentence was based on the “diabolical method” of the killing.

Chiluba, a 25-year-old fashion designer, He was strangled to death and his body was thrown into a metal box On the side of the road in Eldoret.

The murder sent shock waves through Kenya’s LGBTQ+ community.

Judge Nyakundi said Odhiambo, 25, had shown no remorse for the murder.

However, after the verdict was read, Odhiambo caused a stir in the courtroom when he fell to the floor and cried.

“I took into account all the factors and found that Odhiambo was a vindictive person who committed the murder of his best friend,” the judge said.

Chiluba and Odhiambo were roommates near the University of Eldoret where Chiluba was a student. There were some reports that the two men were in a relationship.

The prosecution, led by Marc Mojon, told the court that Odhiambo squandered the activist’s money after killing him.

The prosecution also presented evidence from 23 witnesses, including DNA tests that linked Odhiambo to the crime scene.

Chiluba’s body was found with socks stuffed in his mouth and a piece of denim tied around his face.

An autopsy indicated that he died as a result of asphyxia caused by suffocation.

Evidence also showed that the suspect sexually assaulted Chiluba before committing suicide.

There was speculation that this was a case of intimate partner murder, but the court did not reach any conclusion about the motive behind the killing.