Family of Slain Model Edwin Chiloba Denies Claims That He was Gay

The family of slain model and fashion designer Edwin Chiloba has denied claims that the deceased was a member of the LGBTQ community.

Speaking on Monday, the family’s spokesperson Caudentia Tanui said Chiloba was brought up in a Christian family and was even at some point nicknamed "pastor" in his high school due to his commitment to the church.

"As a family, we know our child came to university, he was in his fourth year. These other things we are seeing on social media we don't know. He was brought up as a Christian. At St. Francis Kimuron he was called 'pastor' and he was a student leader in charge of YCS so these other things we are hearing we do not know we are just seeing it online," she said. 

"We ask Kenyans to be fair to us because nobody would want their child to be that way. We just want justice and let him rest in peace."

Chiloba’s mutilated body was found stuffed in a metal box and dumped on a roadside in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County last Wednesday.

On Monday, five suspects including three minors were arraigned at Eldoret law courts in connection with the murder of the 25-year-old University of Eldoret student. The court granted the prosecution’s request to detain them for 21 more days to pave the way for investigations.

Jackton Odhiambo, a Nairobi-based freelance photographer who is alleged to have been Chiloba's boyfriend, is being treated as the prime suspect in his killing.