By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A Kenyan gay rights activist, Edwin Kiptoo, can now have a peaceful rest as a court in the East African country has found his former housemate guilty of his murder nearly two years ago.
Jacktone Odhiambo was sentenced to 50 years for the role he played in Kiptoo’s murder.
His killing in early 2023 sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ community in the conservative African nation.
Kiptoo’s body was found in a metal box in the western city of Eldoret.
Earlier this month, Odhiambo, who police believe had been in a relationship with the late activist, was found guilty of the murder.
“Yes, my client has been sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment. At the moment, I have not received any instructions to appeal,” Reuters quotes Odhiambo’s lawyer, Sammy Mathai, as saying late on Monday.
Upon his arraignment in early February last year, Odhiambo said he had no hand in Kiptoo’s murder.
In Kenya, homosexuality is an offence, and gay sex is punishable by 14 years in prison. The law, however, has not been adequately enforced.
In neighbouring Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni signed an anti-homosexuality law, which includes a provision for the death penalty for certain same-sex acts.
Heritage Times HT reports that under the law, described as draconian, same-sex intercourse is punishable by life in prison, while so-called aggravated homosexuality attracts a death sentence, among other harsh penalties.
Additionally, the promotion of homosexuality is banned, and offenders can face up to 20 years in jail.
Several African countries have tightened the grip on same-sex relations, amidst condemnation by Western powers.
Recently, Ghana proposed anti-homosexual legislation that seeks to jail LGBTQ advocates for 10 years.
It also proposes a three-year imprisonment for people who identify as gay.
