Stakeholders in children affairs in Naivasha want the government to create a special unit to handle DNA samples presented to the courts. They argue that the lack of a proper channel to handle the samples has led to rape victims being denied justice as the perpetrators walk scot-free.
Naivasha social welfare officer and nominated county assembly member Esther Njeri said that in most cases, the samples are not well handled, leading to disqualification of evidence.
“In most cases, a child who was molested, especially those below two years, cannot narrate what happened. However, after positively identifying the victim, the DNA test should come in handy,” she added.
Njeri suggested that both the courts and hospitals should also employ qualified DNA specialists in all counties to ensure that such cases are handled swiftly. She revealed her intentions to raise the same issue before the county assembly.
The approval of the motion could see the establishment of such centres in every constituency.
She added that the storage of the DNA samples is also important, saying that any mishandling can destroy all the evidence.
Njeri said there have been cases where a child has positively identified a rapist in a parade and even narrated to the court what happened but linking the victim to the incident becomes tricky.
Naivasha Women for Peace coordinator Purity Wanjira lamented that in many cases, the DNA results go missing in court.
She said that such occurrences lead to miscarriage of justice due to delayed or dismissed cases.