Homicide detectives from Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had a busy day on Thursday January 12, 2023, as they pieced together evidence in the killing of fashion model and gay right activist Edwin Kiptoo alias Chiloba.
Slain Chiloba’s body was discovered, stashed in a metal box, on Tuesday last week, but was identified by his family at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) morgue on Friday, January 6.
The investigations came just a day after a postmortem conducted by government pathologist Johansen Oduor revealed that the late Chiloba was suffocated using a cloth and three pairs of socks that were stuffed in his mouth.
The team of 12 investigators pieced together evidence in four spots in Eldoret, including a residential house in Huruma estate. The team was led by Martin Nguguto, Director Investigation Department.
Jackton Odhiambo, the main suspect in the killing of the University of Eldoret student was taken under tight security by the detectives, to the residential house in the sprawling Huruma.
For hours, the DCI officers questioned several people in the house where detectives said some of Odhiambo’s relatives lived.
A senior detective in the team said the officers were collecting samples for forensic analysis and crucial information that would help in the case.
The homicide officers started work at 10.30am at Noble Breeze Apartments in Chebisaas near University of Eldoret.
After two hours in the house where the slain Chiloba and the main suspect Odhiambo often lived, the detectives drove in a convoy to a dusty road in Mokombet in Kipkenyo, Kapseret sub-county where Chiloba’s body was discovered on Tuesday last week, stashed in a metal box.
The body was dumped on the roadside, between trees, barely 500 metres from Mokombet African Inland Church.
A detective said today’s collection of forensic samples would help the DCI in unravelling the main suspect’s moments with the deceased before his death.
“We are piecing together crucial samples and geolocation details that will help us prove our case against the suspects. The house we visited is of interest to us,” the detective who requested for anonymity.
The investigation was further extended to a night Club along the busy Eldoret-Kisumu highway, where the late Chiloba and the main suspect spent time on new year eve.
On Monday, the police were given 21 days to probe the main suspect and follow more leads in the model’s killing.
The late Chiloba, according to social media reports, was an LGBTQ activist.
His neighbours said the deceased loved photography and video shooting.
“He frequently spent time taking photographs with the main suspect at the balcony,” a university student who lives in the neighbourhood said.
