3 minors among those detained for 21 more days over LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Chiloba’s murder

Five suspects in the killing of fashion designer and LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Chiloba have been detained for three more weeks pending investigations into the gruesome murder.

Chiloba’s body was discovered stuffed in a metallic box in Kipkenyo, Eldoret, on Wednesday afternoon.

According to eyewitness accounts, unknown assailants drop off the metallic box along the Kipkenyo - Katinga road before speeding off.

The five, including three minors, were arraigned at the Eldoret Law Courts on Monday, where the prosecution requested the suspects be detained for 21 more days to pave the way for investigations.

It is suspected that Chiloba was murdered at an apartment in Chepkolel, Moiben, where he lived with Jackton Odhiambo, who is said to be his boyfriend and who police are treating as the main suspect.

Others being held include a cousin to the main suspect, a friend and a taxi driver police believe aided in the disposal of the fashion designer’s body.

The prosecution wanted more time because a postmortem is yet to be conducted, and the Toyota Fielder allegedly used to dispose the body, as well as the apartment have not been subjected to forensic examination.

One day prior to his death, Odhiambo detailed that he and deceased had visited a club whose CCTV footage yet to be examined.

The handset used by the deceased is also yet to be recovered, while police say they are still pursuing more suspects are yet to be arrested.

The prosecution also said the suspects arrested are flight risks and since the case is of public interest, their lives are in danger.

The court granted 21 days to complete investigations, and the case is set to be heard on January 31st.