Suspect in Chiloba death to face pre-trial mental examination
By Wycliffe Kipsang, February 2, 2023
The prime suspect in the murder of Eldoret-based LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo alias Chiloba will undergo a mental assessment before pleading to the charges.
Eldoret High Court Deputy Registrar Rosemary Onkoba on Tuesday directed that Jackton Odhiambo (pictured) be escorted to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) for the mental tests which will determine if he is fit to stand trial. “We hereby direct that the suspect be held at Eldoret GK Prison in the meantime. The results of the mental assessment will determine the next step in the murder case,” Onkoba ruled in a short evening session.
The Eldoret court also freed four suspects in the murder of the activist and further directed that Odhiambo face murder charges.
Among those released was celebrated bodybuilding champion Dennis Litali who was among suspects arrested in connection with the murder.
Litali was Mr Uasin-Gishu 2017 and also second runners up for East African bodybuilding 2022. “Our investigation showed that the four suspects were at no point involved with the murder of Chiloba,” reads a police report seen by People Daily.
Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo however ordered the four suspects to report to the police once a month for three months. “The court hereby directs that the four suspects, three of whom are minors will be reporting to DCI offices once a month for the next three months for further grilling,” ordered Odenyo.
Police had recommended the court to charge Odhiambo after investigations linked him to the crime.