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Several items including blood samples and swabs collected from the body of murdered LQBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich alias Chiloba have been displayed at the High Court in Eldoret
The samples also include those taken from Jacktone Odhiambo who is the prime suspect in the murder of Chiloba.
Polycarp Luta Kweyu who is the Principal chemist at the government chemist in Kisumu produced the samples when he testified before Justice Reuben Nyakundi who is hearing the murder case against Odhiambo.
Luta said he received the first batch of samples on January 11, 2023.
The samples he received included annul swabs from Chiloba's body along with fingernail clippings, some clothes including underwear, socks removed from the late's body and bed sheets from the house where Chiloba's body was found.
On the 19th of the same month, he also received 27 more items from the DCI in Eldoret including those from Odhiambo.
Luta said he was asked to establish the genetic relation of two sets of material received
In his findings, Luta said he established that stains from the cannula swab and on the boxer and red trousers tested positive for spermatozoa.
He said the male DNA profile generated from the cannula swabs and stains from clothes and bed sheets was a mixture of the deceased Edwin Kiptoo and suspect Jacktone Odhiambo.
Luta further revealed that the male DNA profiles generated from the bed cover matched seminal fluids that came from Jacktone Odhiambo.
A court proceeding outside Eldoret High Court where samples taken from the suspect and deceased were displayed on May 7, 2024.
Lawyer Mathai Maina who is representing Odhiambo Cross examined Luta on how the samples were sourced before being taken to the chemist in Kisumu.
"Suspect Odhiambo was not presented to us at the government chemist but the samples we received were indicated to have been obtained at the Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret," Luta said.
Justice Nyakundi was forced to move the hearing outside the courtroom after Luta said it was not convenient to display the items in a closed court.
"Some of the items are not in good condition and I advise that maybe they be displayed out of the courtroom", said Luta.
The court took a break to allow lawyers, journalists and court officials among others to source for masks before the items were displayed.
The items were tightly packed and sealed in waterproof envelopes
Odhiambo has denied murdering Chiloba between December 31st and January 3rd in Eldoret.
The body of Chiloba was recovered in a metallic box dumped on the outskirts of the town.
The murder allegedly occurred at Noble Breeze apartment where Chiloba allegedly lived with the suspect.
Hearing continues.
