The roommate of a prominent gay activist in Kenya was convicted on Wednesday of murdering him, almost two years after the grisly killing shocked the East African nation and spread chilling fear among its gay community.

The activist, Edwin Chiloba, was found dead and stuffed into a metal box by the roadside in Uasin Gishu County in the country’s west in January 2023, an episode that prompted international calls from activists and rights groups for Kenya to better protect its L.G.B.T.Q. community.

On Wednesday, a high court judge said that Jackton Odhiambo, a 25-year-old freelance photographer and roommate of Mr. Chiloba, had planned the killing. The two were last seen walking on the staircase to their shared apartment after a night out. Afterward, witnesses heard cries coming from the apartment, which subsided after a short while.

DNA evidence collected from the scene showed that Mr. Odhiambo had sexual intercourse with Mr. Chiloba before killing him, said the judge, Justice Reuben Nyambati Nyakundi of the Eldoret High Court. But an examination of the evidence did not reveal Mr. Odhiambo’s motive for the killing.

“I went for an expedition, and I could not find what could have been the motive of causing the death of your dear friend,” Justice Nyakundi said.

ImageJackton Odhiambo at the Eldoret High Court in Kenya in January 2023.Credit...Peter Odiambo/Associated Press

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