Eldoret-based fashion designer Edwin Chiloba is dead.

Initial reports indicate that a bodaboda rider saw a vehicle dropping the metal box in the area, and the police were alerted. Upon opening the box, the decomposing body of a man dressed in red trousers and a black jacket with silver stripes was found inside

Edwin was a model, designer and LGBTQ activist who never shied away from embracing who he was despite repeated assaults and attacks on his person as he revealed in posts that were later deleted in July 2022.

Following the shocking news of his death, several celebrities have taken the time to mourn his demise including media personality Anita Nderu, an LGBTQ activist herself. 

Taking to her socials Anita wrote, “I am heartbroken and devastated. Seeing the comments under the posts highlighting his death are so alarming. We are headed down a very alarming trajectory as a society. How many more members of the LGBTQ+ community have to be murdered before Kenyans realize that your silence empowers the homophobic, it empowers them to act unlawfully and with impunity.”

Actress Kate Kamau also shared a post on social media sharing she was heartbroken by the news.

“I am so sorry.. My heart weeps for you. May your killers never know peace. Rest In Peace,” she wrote.

Similarly, makeup artist Denis Karuri shared his grief on TikTok captioning it “seeking asylum is now an option more than ever.”

In the media landscape, Kamene Goro and Oga Obinna shared their views of the killing on their morning show condemning the perpetuation of hate crimes.

“We cannot start to propagate and perpetuate hate crimes. The decision of life or death is not yours to make.”

More to follow…