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A suspect on Tuesday (January 31) was charged with the murder of a prominent LGBTQ activist in Kenya, with officials favoring a love triangle motive over early suggestions of hate crimes.
Authorities say Jacktone Odiambo is the only person to be charged with Edwin Chilova’s murder after the court released four other suspects.
Cirova’s murder has drawn global attention due to the country’s stance on gay rights. Uasingicu county chief investigator Peter Kimruwo said police had ruled out the murder as a hate crime.
Kimulwo said investigators now believe the murders are linked to a love triangle.
Cirova’s body was found on January 4, packed in a metal box dumped on a road near the western town of Eldoret, where he lived.
Three of the freed suspects are believed to have helped Odhiambo move Cirova’s body from the victim’s home. A magistrate on Tuesday (January 31) ordered all three to report to the police station monthly for three months.
Activists initially thought the murder was a hate crime, adding that fashion designer Chiroba had been targeted for his activism in support of gay rights.
Kenya is a largely conservative society, and the president has said in the past that gay rights are not an issue in the East African country.
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