5 Suspects Arrested Over Murder of LGBTQ+ Activist
Five people have been detained in Kenya in connection to the murder of LGBTQ+ rights activist Edwin Chiloba. His body was found last week mutilated and stuffed in a metal box.Authorities say they are investigating whether the murder came out of a love triangle involving Chiloba, Voice of America reports.
Local activists have called the killing a hate crime.Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya.One of the five who appeared in court on Monday was Jacktone Odhiambo, who reportedly was a friend of Chiloba.“We want the culprits or the murderers of my brother to be charged according to the Kenyan law,” Gaudensia Chirchir, Chiloba’s cousin said, speaking on behalf of the family.Chiloba’s body was found almost 25 miles away from where he lived on January 3.
Someone saw the metal trunk being thrown from a moving car.“He died a painful death,” an unidentified police officer based in Eldoret told reporters, according to Agence-France Presse.“We’ve also seen increased homophobia, especially online,” local LGBTQ+ activist Fahe Kerubo said. “We’ve seen a lot of increased violation of incidents among the queer community or that is directed toward the LGBTQ community.”Pan Africa ILGA wrote on Twitter last week, “Edwin who was a Kenyan LGBTIQ+ activist, model and humanitarian was well known for his passion for fashion and activism.”“We pray that his soul will rest in power as police continue to investigate the incidents that led to his death.