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Chiloba murder: Odhiambo denies killing LGBTQ activist

Thursday, February 9th, 2023 07:30 | By
Jacktone Odhiambo. PHOTO/Courtesy

Jacktone Odhiambo, the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of Eldoret-based LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo alias Chiloba has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 Before Eldoret High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi yesterday, Odhiambo denied committing the murder between December 31, 2022 and January 3, 2023.  “I did not murder him, your honour. I don’t even know why the charges are being brought up against me,” Odhiambo replied when asked by the judge to answer the charges.

 The suspect is represented by lawyer Mathai Maina while Chiloba’s family is represented by Mitullah Gilbert.

 Justice Nyakundi directed that the case be mentioned on January 16.

 Last week, the court ordered Odhiambo to be subjected to a mental assessment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) before taking plea today.

Deputy Registrar Rosemary Onkoba had directed that Odhiambo be held at the Eldoret GK Prison in the meantime after a probe linked him to the crime.

 Four other suspects among them three minors were set free by the court after evidence showed they were not involved. The three minors however are required to report to the DCI offices in Eldoret South once a month for three months to record further statements.

Decomposing body

Also released was celebrated bodybuilding champion Dennis Litali who was among suspects arrested in connection with the murder.

Litali was Mr Uasin-Gishu 2017 and also second runner up for East African bodybuilding 2022. “Our investigation showed that the four suspects were at no point involved with the murder of Chiloba,” reads a detective report.

The court heard that Odhiambo had been hanging out with the deceased in various entertainment joints and that the CCTV footage is yet to be retrieved by the investigation officers.

Chiloba was last seen alive dancing with his friends as they ushered in the New Year at Tamasha Club at the outskirts of Eldoret town.

He is said to have later left the club with his friends to an unknown destination for a house party only for his lifeless body to be found two days later,  stashed in a metal box on the Kipkenyo–Kaptinga road.

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