Medic to testify in death of LGBTQ activist case

Slain LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiptoo alias Chiloba. [Courtesy]

The High Court in Eldoret has summoned Chief Government pathologist Johansen Oduor to appear before it on January 31, next year, to testify on the death of LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiptoo alias Chiloba.

Justice Reuben Nyakundi wants the pathologist to table a post-mortem report showing the cause of death of the fashion model, who was a final-year fashion student at the University of Eldoret.

The judge issued the summons after an application by State Counsel Mark Mugun.

In his application, Mugun asked the court to summon the pathologist to appear in court to explain his post-mortem report on the student.

Dr Oduor is among the key witnesses lined up by the prosecution to testify in the case against suspect Jackton Odhiambo alias Lizer.

Others summoned are experts from Geo-mapping, scene of crime officers, and a communication expert from Safaricom, who are expected to explain to the court the occurrences that led to the death and disposal of Chiloba's body.

Court documents indicate that the pathologist conducted the postmortem at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he concluded that the victim died of asphyxia.

According to Oduor's earlier media interview, the gay activist was killed by covering the nose and mouth with a piece of jeans cloth and a pair of socks that caused suffocation.

Chiloba's decomposing body had no physical injuries, showing a lack of resistance or self-defense, as he was reportedly inebriated.

Bond application

Odhiambo denied killing Chiloba, who according to witnesses, was his lover between December 31, 2022, and January 3, 2023.

He is accused of having committed the crime at Noble Breeze apartment in Chebisas in Moiben sub-county, Uasin Gishu County.

The court is set to rule on Odhiambo's application for release on bond on Friday.

Chiloba's mutilated body was discovered stashed in a metallic box along the busy Kipkenyo-Kaptinga road in Kapseret sub-county, Uasin Gishu County on January 3.

The hearing of the case will continue on January 31, 2024.