Key Points
- Kenyan man sentenced to 50 years for activist’s murder.
- Activists demand justice and protection for LGBTQ rights in Kenya.
- Kiptoo’s death sparks renewed calls for LGBTQ safety reforms.
A Kenyan court has handed down a 50-year prison sentence to a man for the murder of LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiptoo in 2023, a case that has deeply impacted the nation’s LGBTQ community.
Kenyan man sentenced to 50 years for activist’s murder
Kiptoo’s body was found inside a metal box in Eldoret, a city located in western Kenya, in early 2023. Jacktone Odhiambo, his housemate, was convicted of murder earlier this month, with police believing he had been in a relationship with the victim.
“Indeed, my client has received a sentence of 50 years in prison.” “Currently, I have not been given any instructions to file an appeal,” stated Odhiambo’s lawyer, Sammy Mathai, in a conversation with Reuters on Monday.
According to Reuters, Odhiambo initially entered a plea of not guilty to the charges when he was arraigned in February 2023. The conviction and sentencing represent the conclusion of a case that garnered considerable public interest because of the crime’s nature and its wider impact on LGBTQ rights in Kenya.
Kiptoo, a renowned advocate for gay rights, served as a significant voice for LGBTQ issues in a nation where homosexuality is still considered taboo. In Kenya, same-sex relationships can lead to a prison sentence of up to 14 years, although this law is infrequently applied.
Activists have consistently advocated for reforms to safeguard LGBTQ rights, contending that social stigma and discrimination foster an atmosphere in which violence against LGBTQ individuals remains unaddressed.
Odhiambo’s conviction raises calls for LGBTQ safety in Kenya
The murder of Kiptoo has sparked renewed conversations about the safety of LGBTQ individuals in Kenya, with activists cautioning that the frequency of such attacks may rise unless there are changes in the country’s laws and societal attitudes.
Numerous human rights organizations denounced the killing, characterizing it as part of a wider trend of violence experienced by LGBTQ individuals in East Africa.
Although Odhiambo’s sentencing is viewed as a move towards justice, advocates for rights contend that legal reforms are essential to safeguard LGBTQ individuals against violence and discrimination.
As of Monday, there had been no confirmation regarding the appeal requests from Odhiambo’s legal team.
