The US government has offered a helping hand to Kenyan authorities with their investigations into the killing of LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the American government was saddened over Chiloba’s murder and called for thorough and transparent investigations into the matter.
“Violence against LGBTQI+ persons or anyone, of course, is unacceptable. But when violence stems from possible bias or stigma, it indirectly harms all members of the targeted community,” Price said.
“We’ve sent our condolences to his family, to his loved ones, but also the LGBTQI community in Kenyua during their time of mourning. There was so many in that community in Kenya who benefited from his leadership, from his visibility, from his support,” he added.
Chiloba’s killing has drawn an uproar among human rights activists who have condemned violence against members of the LGBTQ community saying intolerance has no place in a free and open society.
Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo on Monday granted the police 21 days to hold the suspects linked to Chiloba’s gruesome murder in order to facilitate the completion of investigations.
The five include Jackton Odhiambo who is the prime suspect alongside Dennis Litali and three minors.
Chiloba’s lifeless body was found stuffed in a metallic box along the Kipenyo-Kaptinga road in Eldoret.
Eyewitnesses reported a vehicle with a hidden registration number was spotted dropping the metallic box.
Preliminary reports indicating that he died from strangulation.
Post mortem results are still underway to establish the cause of death.