Blood samples and swabs collected from the body of murdered LGBTQ activist Edwin Kiprotich, also known as Chiloba, were displayed at the High Court in Eldoret.
These items, including those taken from the prime suspect, Jacktone Odhiambo, were presented by Polycarp Luta Kweyu, the Principal Chemist at the government chemist in Kisumu, during his testimony before Justice Reuben Nyakundi, who is presiding over the murder case against Odhiambo.
Luta testified that he received the first batch of samples on January 11, 2023. This initial collection included anal swabs from Chiloba’s body, fingernail clippings, various clothing items, including underwear and socks removed from the deceased, and bed sheets from the house where Chiloba’s body was discovered.
Later, on the 19th of the same month, he received an additional 27 items from the DCI in Eldoret, which included items from Odhiambo.
Luta explained that he was tasked with establishing the genetic relation of the two sets of materials he received. His findings revealed that stains from the anal swabs and on the boxer shorts and red trousers tested positive for spermatozoa. The male DNA profile generated from these samples was identified as a mixture of Edwin Kiptoo’s and Jacktone Odhiambo’s.
Additionally, Luta disclosed that the male DNA profiles generated from the bed cover matched seminal fluids that came from Jacktone Odhiambo. These findings provide crucial evidence in the ongoing murder case, shedding light on the genetic connection between the victim and the prime suspect.
