Gay Rights Activist Edwin Chiloba Found Dead In Kenya
On January 4, the body of a young man was discovered by the roadside near Eldoret in western Kenya. The deceased was identified as Edwin Chiloba, a gay fashion designer and an LGBTQIA+ activist, reports The Guardian.
Since Mr Chiloba’s body was found, one suspect has been taken in for questioning by authorities. Speculation surrounds the murder as many claim Edwin Chiloba’s sexuality may be motive for his murder, reports BBC News.
THE GRUESOME ATTACK HAS GAINED INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION
Owing to the violent nature of the crime, many news outlets worldwide have tuned into the story with human rights activists demanding a speedy investigation. Edwin Chiloba was a 25-year-old fashion designer who had previously stated he would fight against LGBTQIA+ discrimination.
According to Equaldex, it is illegal to be openly gay in Kenya with imprisonment being a common punishment. In a 2019 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 83% of Kenyans do not believe homosexuality should be accepted.
The country’s division has lead many activists to fear for the safety of LGBTQIA+ folks. Edwin Chiloba’s death, although still under investigation, worries many that it was hate-crime motivated, reports The Guardian.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission released a statement that says, “It is truly worrisome that we continue to witness escalation in violence targeting LGBTQ+ Kenyans. Every day, the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons are being violated with little consequence for perpetrators.”
