A dispute over a DNA test between the family of former Nakuru businessman Elakim Washington and a woman claiming to be his widow has stalled the hearing of a succession case concerning the businessman’s multimillion estate.
The court proceeding was halted in August of last year as the focus switched to establishing the relationship, through a DNA test, between one of the women, Norah Atieno Wasonga, and a 28-year-old man, John Kelvin Odhiambo.
Atieno, who is seeking acknowledgment as the second and Ann Wanjiru third widow , claimed to have had children with Odhiambo.
Noncompliance with court orders, on the other hand, has delayed the hearing for nearly a year.
In August, the court issued orders directing Atieno and her putative son to attend the government laboratory to have their DNA samples extracted.
This came when Olyweny’s widow, Phelesia Akoth, and her son, Timothy Olyweny, raised concerns about her relationship with Odhiambo.
However,Olyweny, a former Rift Valley provincial surveyor, died in 2016 as a result of illness.
The petitioners accused Atieno of adopting the child and falsifying birth certificates in order to obtain Odhiambo’s fortune.
While defending her marriage to the tycoon, Atieno challenged the court to order for the DNA test, which Justice Teresia Matheka granted in August, the orders have since not been followed.
In order to force cooperation, the family launched contempt proceedings against Atieno and Odhiambo, requesting that they be penalized.