Tuesday will mark the funeral for murdered LQBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo, popularly known as Edwin Chiloba. According to his family, the funeral will take place at their Sergoit village residence in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Gladys Chiri, a cousin of the deceased , stated that burial arrangements had been made and that the family will be at Moi teaching and Referral hospital mortuary to pick up the body by 8 am on Tuesday.
“We’re going straight home for a funeral and family service,” she said.
The body of the slain activist was found at the outskirts of Eldoret Town, in Hurlingham village close to Kipkaren, tucked inside a metal box .
The police are holding five suspects, three of them are children, in connection with the homicide. A prominent suspect among them is Jacktone Odhiambo, who cohabitated with Chiloba in the Kimumu neighborhood on the Eldoret-Iten Road.
On January 31, the suspects will return to court, most likely to face charges following the conclusion of a forensic investigation into the murder.
During a postmortem examination by Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor, the deceased had three pairs of socks and other clothing items pulled from his mouth. According to Dr. Oduor, Chiloba died as a result of an oxygen shortage brought on by a mouth blockage. Chiloba will be buried on the same day as other community members, contrary to how funerals are typically handled among the Kalenjin.