DNA tests indicate Yebei's remains have finally been found

A photo of Meshack Yebei with his family during a trip to the Chepkiit Falls in Uasin Gishu. Yebei who is alleged to have been an International Criminal Court (ICC) witness was found murdered and his body dumped at Tsavo East National Park. [PHOTO: KEVIN TUNOI/STANDARD]

Nandi,Kenya: DNA results have confirmed that the body at the Voi Moi Referral Hospital is that of Meshack Yebei, eventually solving the riddle that has surrounded the disappearance of Deputy President William Ruto's 'critical' witness.

The results from Lancet laboratories in South Africa indicated that it was 99.99 per cent match to that of Meshack, who mysteriously disappeared and his body later found dumped at a thicket near Man Eaters in the Tsavo East National park.

Ben Yebei, Meshack's elder brother said the laboratory representative confirmed to the family the results at 1pm yesterday.

"We received a call from the Lancet laboratories in South Africa who told us that it was 99.99 match," said Yebei's brother.

But John Kariuki, Head of Special Serious Crime Unit at the Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), said they would not officially release the results until the DNA results are confirmed by the Government chemist.

NEXT STEP

"We will conclusively release in two days time the results from the Government chemist. As for now, we will still wait. We cannot hasten them because they are a different entity from us,' said Mr Kariuki.

The laboratories had taken samples of hair, nails and saliva from the body four days ago at the morgue in Voi, where the body has been lying since 30th December last year, two days after Meshack disappeared.

The father of three had taken his child to Turbo Health Centre, and had gone to buy water for the sick child before he was allegedly abducted. The deceased had complained to the police a year before he met his death that he was in danger.

"We are glad that eventually we have him. As a family, we are now taking time to let the information sink before we move to the next step," said Ben.

The DP's 'critical' defence witness' naked body was discovered by a forest ranger on patrol, after being attracted by a hyena that was engrossed at something on the ground.

A source told the family that the ranger later informed the police about the body.

The intrigues of the abduction of the former ICC prosecution witness has gripped the nation for the last two months.

A month ago, a body, initially believed to be that Yebei, was buried in Eastleigh cemetery in Eldoret town after the DNA results indicated that it belonged to Yusuf Hussein, a former matatu tout based in Kapsabet.

UNSOLVED MYSTERY

The family had initially insisted that the body, which was found in Yala River, 15km from Kapsabet town in Nandi County, was that of Yebei.

Yebei's widow, Lilian Yebei, yesterday said she was relieved that the mystery surrounding her husband's abduction and disappearance had come to a conclusion.

"Even as we prepare to bury my husband, I am asking myself what could he have done to deserve such cruelty," said the mother of three.

The family is now waiting for the Government pathologist to examine the body and confirm what killed Yebei before releasing it.