Jacktone Odhiambo in the dock on February 8, 2023. Photo credit: Titus Ominde | Nation Media Group
The High Court in Eldoret is expected to sentence freelance photographer Jackton Odhiambo in connection with the murder of his alleged lover, Edwin Kiptoo Kiprotich.
The presiding Eldoret high Court judge, Reuben Nyakundi is set to pass the judgment today after Jackton was found guilty of the high-profile murder.
Kiptoo, a fashion and apparel student at the University of Eldoret was brutally murdered in January in what sources linked to love triangle.
Edwin’s body was found stashed in a metallic box dumped along Kipkenyo- Kaptinga road in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County.
An autopsy report confirmed that Chiloba’s death was Caused by asphyxiation, a condition that results from lack of enough oxygen supply in the body.
Five suspects were arrested in connection to the murder case, Odhiambo being among them, but the other four were pardoned for lack of substantive evidence
Today’s ruling comes after presiding Eldoret High Judge, Ruben Nyakundi on December 4, 2024 found Jackton guilty of the high – profile murder.
According to the ruling, Odhiambo willfully caused the death of his partner, with all the ingredients of murder as defined in Section 203 of the Penal code present.
“He was a young man whom you strangled until he lost his life at the peak of his life. You were close friends, and you should have protected his life.” Nyakundi told Jackton during his conviction for the murder.
This was a conclusion the court came to after hearing testimonies from 23 witnesses, forensic and DNA analysis, which all lead back to Jackton Odhiambo.
The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission noted that the landmark ruling was a significant step towards justice in for the late Edwin and all LGBTQ residents of Kenya and to large extent, Africa
