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A Kenyan gay rights activist whose body was found dumped in a metal box about two weeks ago was buried at his family’s home in the western part of the country on Tuesday (January 17). rice field.
The gruesome death of Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, popularly known as Edwin Chirova, has been condemned by friends and rights groups in Kenya and abroad, calling for justice.
Hundreds gathered at his family home in Sergoit, a village in Elgueyo Malakwet district about 300 kilometers (190 miles) northwest of Nairobi.
Family and friends shed tears in honor of the 25-year-old model and fashion designer.
Joel Onteri, who attended high school with Chirova, appealed to end the slander of his former classmate.
“A lot has been said, but Chirova has a family and people close to him. If he continues to mock him on social media, the family is stigmatized,” Onteri said.
“Let God decide”
Others made similar calls on Twitter and his name was the top trending topic in Kenya.
Amnesty International Kenya Secretary General Irung Horton tweeted: “Today a peaceful person was buried. Rest in Peace Edwin Chirova. Courage to live your life with integrity. I pay my respects to.”
“May the love of your life inspire everyone who knows you. My condolences again to your family, friends and the LGBTIQ+ community.”
Last week, the government’s chief pathologist, Johansen Oduor, said Tilova died of asphyxiation.
After being reportedly thrown from a moving vehicle, Chirova’s body was found about 40 kilometers (25 miles) outside the Rift Valley town of Eldoret.
Members of Kenya’s LGBTQ community face harassment and physical attacks in the country, with some suspecting the killings as hate crimes.
Freelance photographer Jackton Odhiambo, who was reportedly Chirova’s lover, is the prime suspect in his death and is in police custody along with four others.
A court in Eldoret allowed police to detain the five until January 31 as they proceed with the murder investigation.
Human rights activists condemned Chilova’s violent death and called for increased efforts to protect members of the LGBTQ community.
Homosexuality is taboo in Kenya and much of Africa.
Despite attempts to overturn British colonial-era laws that banned homosexuality in Kenya, gay sex is still a crime, with penalties including up to 14 years in prison.
According to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission, Chiloba’s death comes after several other unsolved murders of sexual minority rights advocates.
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