A government forensic analyst has linked a 20-year-old man to the murders of four women, aged between five and 40, in Nakuru two years ago through DNA evidence.

Polycarp Kwenyu, based at the Kisumu Government Chemist, testified before Nakuru High Court Judge Julius Nangea that DNA from the women’s bodies matched that of Ezekiel Sakwa.

Sakwa is accused of killing a five-year-old girl, Alice Ayuma, on July 13, 2024 at Mwanza village, Rongai Sub-County; Virginia Njeri Mwangi on August 5, 2024 at Menengai Prayer Cave; Florence Mueni Mwalimu on August 6, 2024 in Kalyet Estate; and Vellah Moraa on August 7, 2024 at Baraka Estate.

Kwenyu said he received 38 items from the victims and Sakwa, including vaginal and anal swabs, loose pubic hair, dried blood samples, fingernails, cartilage tissue, vulva swabs, and clothing. These were analysed alongside Sakwa’s buccal swab and clothing. “All vaginal swabs tested positive for seminal fluid matching Sakwa’s DNA,” Kwenyu testified.

Ayuma went missing while playing near her home; her body was found the next day in a maize plantation. Njeri was discovered with head injuries and sexual assault signs after praying at Menengai Prayer Cave. Mwalimu, a banker, was found dead with blunt and sharp force injuries while returning home to care for her son. Moraa, a food vendor, disappeared en route home and was found the following day in a maize plantation with multiple injuries and sexual assault evidence.

Josephat Kombo, a police officer at Menengai Police Station, testified that Moraa’s husband, Elisha Otieno, reported her disappearance and received a call from Sakwa confirming the murder and revealing the body’s location. 

We went to the scene, found the body lying face down a few metres from a knife, and transported it to PGH mortuary,” he said.

The DNA evidence links Sakwa conclusively to all four murders, providing a crucial breakthrough in the investigation.