The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has issued an update regarding the case of baby Pendo Samantha who was killed during the 2017 anti-IEBC protests.
In a statement on July 25, IPOA reported that the High Court has ordered 11 police commanders who were accused of committing serious crimes against humanity in the case of Baby Pendo to take a plea, which is scheduled for October 3, 2024.
“The High Court has directed that the police commanders accused of crimes against humanity in the case of Baby Samantha Pendo take plea on 3rd October 2024,” reads part of the statement.
In addition, Justice Kanyi Kimondo directed that a warrant of arrest be produced against another police officer who has since been missing.
The 12 senior police officers, according to IPOA, are facing charges of murder, torture and rape following violations that were meted on civilians in Nyalenda and other parts of Kisumu culminating into the death of Baby Samantha Pendo in 2017.
The charges against the officers are based on the principle of Command Responsibility under the International Crimes Act 2008, a first in the country.
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Baby Pendo Murder Case
In August 2017, baby Samantha died after sustaining injuries in the skirmishes involving police who had raided on her parents’ home in the western lakeside city of Kisumu, as protests erupted.
Officers shot tear gas into their home and broke down the door before striking the couple with blows while the mother carried Samantha in her arms.
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An autopsy revealed that she had suffered serious head injuries, with her scalp shattering as a result of the police’s violent force.
The update came amid the recent outcry over the cases over police brutality and cases of excessive force used on protesters during the anti-government protests of 2024.
IPOA and other state agencies have been on the spot over lack of swift action, with activists piling pressure on the government to bring rogue police officers to book.
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