Kenyan police are investigating the death of Edwin Chiloba, a young fashion designer and LGBTQ activist, whose body was discovered dumped in a metal box by the side of the road near the town of Eldoret.
According to a police spokesperson quoted in the Star newspaper, the motive for the killing is unknown.
However, rights groups in Kenya, where gay sex is illegal, are linking it to his sexuality.
According to one group, more than half of Kenya’s LGBTQ people have been assaulted.
“Words cannot express how we feel as a community right now. Another soul was lost as a result of hatred. You will be remembered “galck+, a human rights organization, posted on Twitter.
Words cannot even explain how we as a community are feeling right now.
Edwin Chiloba was a fighter, fighting relentlessly to change the hearts and minds of society when it came to lgbtq+ lives.
Another soul lost due to hate. You will be missed. RIP🕊️#justiceforedwinchiloba pic.twitter.com/eAwN5Jflns
— #HereForAll (@Galck_ke) January 6, 2023
“Edwin’s death reminds us that queer bodies continue to be attacked across the country,” wrote the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission on Instagram.
Chiloba, who was in his mid-20s, was described as an “amazing human” and an “iconic fashion designer” in tributes on social media.
Chiloba stated on Instagram last month that he was “going to fight for all marginalized people,” citing his own marginalization. Chiloba “spread love wherever he went, was bold about his existence as a queer man, and encouraged many others to do the same,” said Chris Makena, an activist, and friend.
Another friend said he had moved to Eldoret from Nairobi in 2019 to study fashion and was starting to make a name for himself in design.
On Wednesday, his body was discovered.
According to a witness, someone in a vehicle without a license plate was seen leaving a metal box by the side of the road.
The police were called, and they went to open the box to find the body. “We don’t know why he was killed in this manner for the time being. The situation is being handled by experts “Resila Onyango, a police spokesperson, is quoted as saying.
Edwin Chiloba was an amazing human. He was bold, passionate, his energy was immaculate. He embodied fashion. Someone murdered him cruelly, put his body in a box & dumped his body.
Edwin we speak your name. May yr blood not spill for nothing. Stop killing queer people. pic.twitter.com/aSgwyTSqnM
— Njeri Wa Migwi™ (@NjeriWaMigwi) January 5, 2023
Gay sex is punishable by up to 14 years in prison in Kenya. Though rarely enforced, members of the country’s LGBTQ community face discrimination and stigma on a regular basis, and efforts to decriminalize gay sex have been thwarted.
The murder of non-binary lesbian Sheila Lumumba last year sparked a social media campaign to get #JusticeForSheila.
Following the murders of transgender activist Erica Chandra and LGBTQ activist Joash Mosoti in 2021, similar campaigns were launched.
