The Government pathologist Johansen Oduor has revealed how Eldoret-based model and LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo alias Chiloba died.
While addressing the media on Wednesday at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Oduor disclosed Chiloba died of asphyxiation after being choked with socks and jeans.
According to the government pathologist, Chiloba died from choking that was occasioned by obstruction of breath to his nose and mouth.
“From our findings, the late Edwin died out of asphyxia, which is caused by smothering,” Oduor said.
"He had a piece of trouser tied around the nose and mouth. He had socks stuffed in his mouth. He had Cyanosis, when you look at his fingernails, they were bluish in colour, which shows that he lacked oxygen when he died.”
Read More
Far from what may have circulated across a section of the media, Chiloba’s eyes were not gouged out, as it was purported as the autopsy did not find any injuries to his body.
However, Oduor confirmed Chiloba’s body had already started decomposing.
Oduor said investigations are focusing on the possibility of Chiloba being drugged first and rendered unable to resist his assailants before being murdered.
"We did not find any injuries in his body and we are still investigating if he was given drugs so that he could not resist his abductors," Oduor said.
"The eyes were still there but the body had begun decomposing."
Four suspects have already been in connection to Chiloba’s murder, including the prime suspect Jacktone Odhiambo and they were arraigned before Senior Resident Magistrate Richard Odenyo on Tuesday.
Odenyo allowed the detectives to detain the suspect for 21 days to allow for the conclusion of the investigation, saying it was because of the magnitude of this matter and the nature of the investigations involved.
"Due to the magnitude of this matter and the nature of investigations involved, this court will allow the police to detain the suspects at Langas police station to complete investigations," Odenyo said.
Chiloba whose body was found stashed in a metallic box along Kipenyo-Katinga road in Eldoret Town, Uasin Gishu County.