The quiet neighborhood of Sergoit village in Elgeyo Marakwet County is where the journey of Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo (Chiloba) came to an end. He was laid to rest at his father’s farm on 17th January 2023. The model was smothered to death and later dumped by the roadside in a metallic box. A killing that caused outrage as well as drew global condemnation.
The slain model, fashion designer, and LGBTQ activist in his tributes was described as an amazing person and an iconic fashion designer whose bright future was starting to show. It is in this same village that Edwin was born 25 years ago. He went to Sergoit primary school and later joined St. Francis Kimuron Secondary school. Both of which are in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Edwin Chiloba Growing Up
A look into an interview Edwin Chiloba had with Ebru TV two years ago, revealed more about his troubled childhood and the constrained relationship with his family. From losing his mother at a very young age and now having to live with his father and ‘drunkard aunt’ who often mistreated him.
The late fashionista had said his father did not put much concern on him and his schooling. This often drove him away to the mercy of other people like his teachers. So much so that his primary school headteacher at some point offered to pay for his primary education to completion.
Lucky for him, his elder sister, who was married got a job and therefore paid his Form One and Two school fees before his father accepted to support him. Unfortunately, his father also passed away while he was in form four. Edwin Chiloba was left with his elder sister who had to cater for the remainder of his high school and University education as well. He joined Moi University to pursue a degree in Education.
To his family and friends of the family as well as the community, Edwin was a very social and ambitious boy who grew up embracing the Christian faith.
“We always called him pastor because he liked to pray a lot. He was sociable, relating well with everyone around him,” recalled Jesca, a friend at Sergoit village, during an interview with citizen digital.
Jesca adds that Kiprotich had something for fashion even when they were young. And Edwin even approached her when he wanted to study fashion and design. “I advised him to follow his passion,” concludes Kiprop.
Love for Fashion and Design
Chiloba during the interview at Ebru Tv had gone on to narrate that it was at the University that his passion for modeling and fashion fired up.
“I was in my third year, and I loved modeling and fashion. The education course was stressing me out because I did not love it at all.” He said.
Much to his family’s disapproval. His sister expressed to citizen digital how at that time, she saw an education course as a good fit for Edwin, given its opportunities in getting employment.
It was at the end of his second year that he was reluctant and expressed a strong interest in pursuing fashion and design. “On my end because of money constraints, I had told him that it would be hard to support you again given I had already invested in the previous two years.” Gladys expressed.
“He even told me that if I wouldn’t be supporting him, he will find friends who can support him.”
Edwin Chiloba, the Brand
Bold and unafraid to express himself, the late Edwin started off to follow his passion independently. Evident from his social media posts and messages, he openly Championed LGBTQ rights and fought to be heard. A particular message he had put out a few weeks back, caught the attention of many. It read, “If I am going to fight what I have been marginalized for, I am going to fight for all marginalized people.”
His family, however, maintains Edwin was a staunch Christian who had even been nicknamed a pastor while in school. And that all other comments contrary to that, they were not aware of.
“We have known that our son is a fourth-year student at the University. We do not know of other things that have been said on social media platforms. Our son was brought up as a Christian and was even called a pastor while at St Francis –Kimuron Secondary School.” Said Gaudencia Tanui, a cousin to Edwin Chiloba.
“He was a Young Catholic Students (YCS) leader and we urge Kenyans to be fair to us because no one would wish that their child ends up like ours. We urge that we let him rest in peace. We do not know anything else and all we ask is justice for Edwin,” She added as her emotions run high.
New Family
Chiloba during the interview acknowledges his adoptive parents, Peter and Donna Pfaltzgraff who he said he had met through Facebook. He said that when he told them about his story, the couple pitied him and decided to adopt him as their own. His adoptive parents had enrolled him at the University of Eldoret to pursue fashion and design, where until his demise, was a fourth-year student.
Ms. Donna upon hearing the news of Edwin Chiloba ’s death had expressed that it came as a big blow, as they loved him. “Our hearts are broken. Will give more details when we can share more. Please pray for us.” He wrote.
Edwin Kiprotich had grown to interact with renowned personalities such as Entrepreneur Mitchelle Ntalami who acknowledged him as a kind person who spread pure and unadulterated love.
“It is tragic to see that you have finally been recognized globally but in such a tragic way. Painful, that he who claimed to love you broke your heart over and over and eventually took your life. That was not love. But that pure heart of yours would not let go. Oh darling,” wrote Ntalami.
The Murder
Following his death, about a month ago, Police in Uasin Gishu launched investigations into the brutal murder of the fashion model and LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba.
The body of Chiloba was found stashed in a metallic box along the Kipkenyo – Kaptinga road, in Kapsaret on January 3rd, 2023. A bodaboda rider who was interviewed by the police said that he saw a vehicle without number plates dropping the metallic box before driving away. When they opened the metallic box they found a body that was already decomposing, dressed in a woman’s clothing.
Government pathologist Johansen Oduor, on Wednesday 11th January, revealed that the death of LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba was a result of asphyxia, a condition caused by oxygen deficiency in the body.
“From our findings, the late Edwin died because of asphyxia. He had a piece of jeans trousers and socks which were tied around his mouth and nose. He also had cyanosis when you look at his fingernails; they were bluish in discoloration, an indication that he was lacking oxygen when he died,” Oduor stated.
Chiloba had not sustained any other injuries, Dr. Oduor said, dismissing previous beliefs that his eyes had been gouged out. He attributed it to the nature of a decomposing body.
Jackton Odhiambo, 24, who had been staying with the deceased in Eldoret was arrested on Friday 6th of January 2023, as the main suspect in the murder according to the investigations. Jackton confessed to killing the model over allegations of infidelity. The two were said to have lived together as partners.
Motives in Edwin Chiloba’s murder
Three more suspects were on Saturday 7th arrested, thus bringing to four, the number of those in custody, police said. The three were arrested for assisting in carrying a metal box that was used in disposing of the body of Edwin Chiloba.
Police spokeswoman Resla Onyango said detectives had also detained a car that was used in disposing of the body on the road, a Toyota fielder KCL 299L. She highlighted that a love triangle was among the theories that may have motivated the killing, and hence were pursuing it.
Recent findings, however, according to police sources are adding a twist to this belief. That Ksh. 5 million that Edwin had received from overseas earlier, might have been the center of the heinous act. Edwin is alleged to have received the money from an American multinational financial services company.
“Chiloba was accompanied by some of the suspects when he went to withdraw the cash. They spent a good time together and he even paid some of the bills in dollars,” said the police, as reported by the Nairobian.
However, Investigations are still ongoing on the relationship between the person who sent the money and Chiloba.
Edwin’s residence in Chebisaas Area, Uasin Gishu County
Evident by a viral social media video, Peter Kimulwo, the county DCI boss said on new year’s eve Chiloba and friends went to Tamasha club. They came back at around 3 am to where they lived in the Chebisaas area, near the University of Eldoret. According to the neighbors, they heard some commotion and cries shortly after their arrival, which subsided minutes later.
The deceased had not been seen since then and the neighbors did not follow up and . On January 3rd, however, neighbors saw two people loading a metal box into a vehicle and left.
“We suspect the noise heard earlier by the neighbors was the time the deceased was killed,” Kimulwo said.
His body was taken to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The family, on 6th January positively identified the body as that of their kin, Edwin.
The Case
A magistrate gave police permission on Monday 9th January to detain the five people arrested for a further 21 days, as they continue with their investigations.
Fast forward to the case hearing on the morning of 31st January 2023. State Counsel David Fedha told Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo that the DCI was partially done with the investigations. And that the Office of the Director Of Public Investigations would prefer murder charges against Odhiambo.
“We pray that the miscellaneous application is closed. The DPP has Prefered murder charges against the first respondent who will be arraigned at the High Court today. The second to fifth respondents can be released as we have no evidence against them.” the prosecutor told the court.
Appearing alongside Jackton were the four others. They were ordered to report to the police once a month for three months until they arecleared by police.
Also, before taking the plea, the court ordered a mental evaluation done on Jackton. Today, 8th February 2023, Odhiambo was found suitable to answer to the charges.
Jackton Odhiambo, pleaded not guilty.
Odhiambo, appearing before Eldoret High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi, denied the charges. “I never murdered him,” Odhiambo answer to the charges. He is solely be charged with the murder of Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo.
In Conclusion
Chiloba’s murder for that matter, attracted local and international attention alike. For one, the US government said it would help in investigating the matter.
Moreover, Amnesty International released a joint statement with other organizations in support of LGBTQ+ community rights. First, it commended the DCI for the swift investigations into Edwin Chiloba ’s brutal murder which have yielded results. Secondly, the statement continued to call upon the judiciary to replicate the same determination and enthusiasm towards other pending cases of similar nature. The statement went ahead to name each of the cases.
