The defense in the murder trial of LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich, also known as Chiloba, has closed its case after the prime suspect, Jacktone Odhiambo, made several attempts to clear his name in the 2023 killing.
Odhiambo, a 25-year-old freelance photographer, stands accused of killing Chiloba, who was a final-year student in Apparel Fashion and Design at the University of Eldoret (UoE). The alleged crime took place between December 31, 2022, and January 3, 2023, at Noble Breeze Apartment in Chebisaas, Uasin Gishu County.
Chiloba’s decomposed body was discovered in a metallic box on January 3, 2023, along the Kipkenyo-Kaptinga road, about 10 kilometers from Eldoret town.
During the year-long hearing, the prosecution presented 22 key witnesses, including government pathologist Johansen Oduor. One significant piece of evidence came from Polycarp Kweyu, a principal chemist from the Kisumu Government Chemist, who testified that the male DNA profile obtained from a bed cover matched the seminal fluids found on Odhiambo. Additionally, Jane Waya, a government analyst from Kisumu, conducted a toxicological analysis on samples from the deceased’s body and confirmed that no chemical substances were detected.
Justice Nyakundi has directed the prosecution and the victim’s lawyer to file and serve their submissions within two weeks. The judge is expected to deliver a judgment on November 8, 2024.
