Chiloba murder: Four suspects off the hook

Four suspects have been set free in the murder of gay activist Edwin Kipruto alias Chiloba following completion of investigation.

State Counsel Anthony Fedha told an Eldoret court on Tuesday that evidence links Jacktone Odhiambo to the murder. 

"Following our investigation, we have established that four of the suspects are not linked to the murder. However, the first suspect, Jacktone Odhiambo, will be charged with murder," Mr Fedha told the court. 

The prosecution further told the court three of the suspects, who are minors, will be reporting to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations office once a month for the next three months for further questioning. 

The court on Tuesday ordered a mental assessment for the prime suspect before he is charged. 

The matter will be mentioned on February 8 for further direction.

Chiloba’s body was found stuffed inside a metal box on the Kipenyo-Kaptinga road in Mokombet village, Uasin Gishu County.

Police said they received information from boda boda riders who had seen a vehicle with its registration concealed dumping the box on the roadside. 

The murder attracted global attention, with US State Department spokesperson Ned Price urging Kenyan authorities to thoroughly investigate the brutal murder.

“We urge and expect the Kenyans to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into his death,” Mr Price, who is openly gay, told the Washington Blade during his daily press briefing.

“And of course, if there’s anything we can do to assist, we stand ready to do that,” Mr Price was quoted by the Washington Blade, an LGBTQ newspaper.