A Kisumu court has found five commanders who were in charge of the police operation that resulted in the death of six-month-old baby Samantha Pendo to be culpable of the offence.
The court, on Thursday, ruled that the police commandants who served in the county during the 2017 elections that were followed by riots and violence were responsible for the death of baby Pendo.
The top five police officers are Titus Yoma (Kisumu County Commander 2017), Lina Kogei (Inspector Nyalenda Police 2017), John Chengo Masha (Chief Inspector GSU), Benjamin Koima (Assistant AP Commandant Kisumu Central Sub County), and Mutune Maweu (Senior Superintendent OCPD Kisumu East).
While making the ruling, Kisumu Senior Resident Magistrate Beryl Omollo further ordered the DPP to investigate 31 officers termed as ‘persons of interest’ in the death of Pendo. Magistrate Omollo directed DPP Noordin Haji to take necessary and timely actions against the officers.
The Senior Resident Magistrate had promised to give Baby Pendo a Valentine’s gift when she delivers his ruling after various agencies and family of the late Baby Pendo called on the court to have senior officers pay for the death of the infant.
Baby Pendo died in Nyalenda in August 2017 during a police operation.
Kenyans reacted positively to the news, with many appreciating the court for standing by the truth.
For instance, @CMwabili tweeted, “JUSTICE for Baby Samantha Pendo is the dividend and spirit of HANDSHAKE. The people who committed atrocities during 2017 general election have their days NUMBERED. The culture of agreeing to be USED like robots will have to STOP”
JUSTICE for Baby Samantha Pendo is the dividend and spirit of HANDSHAKE. The people who committed atrocities during 2017 general election have their days NUMBERED. The culture of agreeing to be USED like robots will have to STOP
— Charles Mwabili (@CMwabili) February 14, 2019
@Pau_Afric agrees. His tweet reads, “Let baby Samantha Pendo get Justice!! Let the rogue police officers be tamed!! Impunity must END!!”
Let baby Samantha Pendo get Justice!! Let the rogue police officers be tamed!! Impunity must END!! pic.twitter.com/tJWpkQpW41
— THE PAUWORLD. || 🇰🇪. (@ThePauWorld) February 14, 2019
But @MichaelMburu_ was not that optimistic. “I’m sorry to say this but these officers who are liable for Baby Samantha Pendo will be acquitted by the same courts due to lack of evidence. The executive can’t & won’t allow a Kenya Police OCPD & a County Commander to be jailed in 2021 on the eve of 2022 elections. SAD TRUTH,” reads his tweet.
I'm sorry to say this but these officers who are liable for Baby Samantha Pendo will be acquitted by the same courts due to lack of evidence.
The executive can't & won't allow a Kenya Police OCPD & a County Commander to be jailed in 2021 on the eve of 2022 elections. SAD TRUTH.
— Michael Mburu (@MichaelMburu_) February 14, 2019
Police have for long acted with a culture of impunity and disregard of law and a times life. They do this in pretext of being "under instructions" Now the commanders who oversaw the deadly operation which causes Samantha Pendo death will pay individually.
— Son of a Teacher (@Platuex) February 14, 2019
Samantha Pendo had such a sweet name. Her killers must pay..we cannot be a nation that kills her children
— Son of a Teacher (@Platuex) February 14, 2019
As people from the lake, it's a taboo to shed blood of human beings,
We never kill people so if you kill us be assured of being haunted together with your generation eternally,
Baby Samantha Pendo died a cruel death in the hands of police,
It will never go in vain!!!— Joshua Jerry (@JoshuaJerry) February 14, 2019
What’s your take on these developments?