Baby Pendo's Mother Speaks Out after Court Drops Charges Against 8 Officers: "Sijui Kwa Nini"
- Four police officers were formally charged with the murder of six-month-old Baby Samantha Pendo, who died during the 2017 post-election violence in Kisumu
- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) dropped murder charges against eight other senior police officers linked to Baby Pendo's death
- Baby Pendo's mother expressed the pain of losing her child, questioned why charges were dropped against some officers, and shared the emotional toll the case has had on her family
- The court informed the family that it would find a way forward regarding the dropped charges and the progress of the case, maintaining hope for justice
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
In a significant development in the case of Baby Samantha Pendo, who tragically died during the 2017 post-election violence, four police officers were formally charged with her murder on Monday, May 5.
Source: Facebook
The six-month-old girl was fatally injured during a police operation aimed at quelling protests in Kisumu, prompting widespread outrage and calls for justice.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had earlier linked several officers to the crime, but eight senior officers had their murder charges dropped.
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This decision followed a lengthy inquest and investigation, leading to the arraignment of 12 suspects.
Of these, seven were released, and the case now centres on the four officers facing trial, with another suspect remaining missing.
Baby Pendo's mother speaks after DPP drops charges
Speaking emotionally after the proceedings, Baby Pendo's mother expressed her family's ongoing pain and struggle since the tragic loss of their child.
Source: Facebook
"It is not easy for us as Pendo's parents because we have heard a lot. When this case was revived, it was also not easy because of people's perspectives about us. Some people felt we had healed and moved on without knowing the toll this murder had on us.
They don't understand the pain. It is not easy to bury a child. The memories become fresh, and you keep on recalling the moments you shared since birth," she said, visibly emotional.
She also expressed gratitude that four officers had been charged but questioned the DPP's decision to drop the charges against eight others.
"I thank God that four officers have been charged, but I do not know why the charges against eight others were dropped. The court informed us that they will see a way forward on how to go about it but I know our God knows what happened," she added.
The case continues to draw attention to the issue of police accountability and justice for victims of state violence.
Court of Appeal rejects police bid to stop prosecution
In other news, the Court of Appeal has dismissed an attempt by the National Police Service to stop the prosecution of senior officers implicated in the killing of Baby Pendo.
The application, filed by Titus Mutune—one of the 11 officers charged—claimed legal conflict between local laws and the Rome Statute.
However, the court ruled there was no valid reason to delay the plea-taking or trial process.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
