Kisumu Resident Magistrate, on Thursday 14, ruled that police commandants who were in charge of the county during the 2017 elections that were followed by riots and violence were responsible for the death of baby Samantha 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 ruling, Judge Beryl Omollo directed DPP Noordin Haji to take necessary and timely actions against the officers.
The number of officers who were mentioned to be responsible for the death of the little baby Pendo was thirty one.
Baby Pendo died during the August 2017 general elections after she was hit on the head by police at their Nyalenda slum in Kisumu.
The government chemist Joseph Gitonga also gave a report on the exhibits that were presented by IPOA including teargass carnister.
After the ruling, Pendo’s mother Lencer Achieng expressed her joy saying, “I’m so happy that at last justice has been served, let my baby rest in peace.”
The prosecution lawyer indicated that the police ought to be held responsible for the murder of the child since they were clearly responsible.
The indicted officers were responding to chaos in the lakeside city that erupted after the IEBC had announced Uhuru Kenyatta as president-elect in the contested August 8, 2017 elections.
Justice Omollo indicated that there was enough evidence to hold the police responsible for Baby Pendo’s death.