Jackton Odhiambo, the prime suspect in the death of LGBTQ Activist Edwin Chiloba will face murder charges.
The High Court in Eldoret ordered for mental assessment on Jackton Odhiambo. This was after he appeared before the court on Tuesday, 31st Jan, but did not take a plea. State counsel David Fedha said the accused had to be taken for assessment before taking the plea. The mental assessment will be done at the Moi Referral Hospital.
Court ordered that Odhiambo be taken back to court on February 8 to face charges.
The charges
David Fedha told Senior Principal Magistrate (SPM) Richard Odenyo that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations was partially done with the investigations and that the Office of the Director Of Public Investigations would prefer murder charges against Odhiambo.
Fedha also asked the court to free the four other suspects led by bodybuilder Dennis Litali and three minors who had been arrested averring that the DCI had no evidence linking them to the murder. The prosecution said it had no evidence to charge the four leading to their release. They have been in custody for 21 days.
The three minors will, however, be required to report to the DCI offices in Eldoret South once a month for three months to record further statements.
“We pray that the miscellaneous application is closed as the DPP has Preferred murder charges against the first respondent who will be arraigned at the High Court today. The second to fifth respondents can be released as we have no evidence against them,” the prosecutor told the court.
Edwin Chiloba was found murdered and his body stashed in a metallic box early this year.
By Wanjiru Mbaru