His Body Was Discovered Inside a Metal Box on the Side of the Road…

In Kenya, police are now investigating the mysterious death of an LGBTQ activist whose body was discovered inside a metal box.

Edwin Chiloba’s body was discovered in Uasin Gishu County in the western region of Kenya. Police were told by a taxi driver that he saw an unlicensed vehicle drop the metal box off on the side of the road before driving off.

Prior to his death, Chiloba had ran a fashion business in Uasin Gishu County.

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) tweeted about the activist’s death saying, “He was brutally killed & dumped in the area by unknown assailants. It is truly worrisome that we continue to witness escalation in violence targeting LGBTQ+ Kenyans.”

The organization also stated, “This is reprehensible & deeply unjust. Everyday, the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons are being violated with little consequence for perpetrators.”

KHRC asserted that, “This is a frightening crime but it’s becoming common in Kenya — evidence of a growing epidemic of violence in the country. The govt must reinforce legal protections against non-discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Apparently gay sex is a punishable offense under Kenyan law, which holds a 14-year prison sentence. Back in 2019, the law was upheld by the nation’s high court, as they did not believe it violated citizens’ basic human rights.

The laws were originally put in place under British colonial rule and have been kept since the country gained independence.

Chiloba’s sisters reported that they last saw their brother at a nightclub on New Year’s Eve.

One of Chiloba’s sisters told reporters, “My brother arrived at Tamasha Place where I work around 10 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2022, to usher in the New Year, and around 1 am after the new year fireworks, we met and celebrated together. He bid me farewell saying he would miss me.”

The family began to get increasingly worried once they released his phone had died or was turned off.

A suspect in the activist’s death is currently in police custody, as investigators are still searching for two other individuals in connection with the incident.

 

 

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