High Court Judge David Majanja on Tuesday accused Kisumu Government Chemist of stalling over seven cases that require DNA analysis.
Justice Majanja noted that the facility delayed submitting analysis reports of some cases since July last year adding that this kept suspects in custody without prosecution longer than the law dictated.
According to the judge, some of the pending cases that needed DNA examination were those of rape, murder, sodomy and defilement.
Principal Government Chemist in Kisumu, Richard Kimutai appeared before the court on behalf of the facility’s Director and explained why the results took unusually long before they were availed in court.
According to Kimutai, the facility is currently handling many examinations from both the Nyanza and Rift valley region causing the delay.
“To conduct one sample investigation, we require a minimum of two weeks but other cases took even a month to be concluded,” said Kimutai.
He further noted that the facility at some point lacked necessary reagents needed to conduct the investigations thus prompting the delay in production of reports.
Justice Majanja, however, poked holes in the assertions and stated that the facility was a government unit handling critical cases and such a delay in procurement of reagents was uncalled for.
The judge explained that he had severally called the Director of the facility to appear before the court to provide responses but he snubbed the summons claiming to be busy.
Justice Majanja ordered the Director of the Government Chemist in Kisumu to appear in court on Wednesday to issue a detailed response on the matter.
“Tell him that the Kisumu High Court handles its cases with speed and accuracy. He should also ensure he avails himself in court on Wednesday for a sermon,” the judge directed.