Some 700 victims of 2007-08 post-election violence (PEV) may not get the long-awaited justice after their evidence samples were destroyed by a South Korean laboratory.
The samples were sent to South Korean Humanpass Inc for safety from destruction by the suspects.
The collection and storage of the samples were facilitated by the Kenya-based Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) that deals with DNA testing services.
However, the samples were destroyed after six months as the lab did not receive instructions from Nairobi CSI and the policy allows the destruction within the specified period.
The destruction has left the victims dumbfounded on whether they would find justice since courts rely on evidence for judgements.
In this case, there is no scientific evidence to justify the claims at both the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Kenyan courts.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, CSI director and head of humanitarian services Murigi Kinyanjui confirmed the samples were destroyed but insisted they would do everything possible to ensure the victims find justice.
“We are the people who sent the samples and we have all the list of the people their samples were taken
“We will use the records to ensure the victims are compensated. They must be compensated,” Kinyanjui stated.
Kinyanjui expressed his disappointment in the destruction of the samples insisting the laboratory made the decision without any consultation with Kenya.
“We have written to the South Korean government to hold the laboratory responsible for the destruction of the samples and pay the victims,” Kinyanjui argued.
