JUSTICE FOR BABY PENDO? ONLY 4 JUNIOR OFFICERS CHARGED AS SENIOR COMMANDERS WALK FREE

KISUMU — In a development that has reignited national outrage, only four junior police officers will face trial over the brutal death of six-month-old Baby Samantha Pendo and 39 others during the 2017 post-election protests in Kisumu.

Despite 12 officers—including top police commanders—being implicated in the case, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) announced on Monday, May 5, that charges against eight of them have been dropped due to lack of evidence.

Amnesty International Kenya, which was present in court, confirmed that plea-taking is currently underway for the four officers, who now face crimes against humanity charges.

“After nearly five years in court and several deferrals and delays, the DPP has decided to charge only four junior police officers and not the full eleven, including senior commanders, in the Baby Pendo case,” Amnesty stated.

The DPP’s decision follows a March 21 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which upheld that all 12 suspects should face 47 counts of crimes against humanity. The court dismissed attempts to delay plea-taking and rejected an application by the National Police Service to join the case.

Meanwhile, one suspect—a retired senior officer—remains at large. Chief Inspector Peter Kinani informed the court that police efforts to trace him in Wajir County and his other known residences had been unsuccessful.

Baby Pendo’s death, following a violent police raid on her home in Kisumu’s Nyalenda estate, became a harrowing symbol of excessive force and state impunity. Her story shocked the nation and sparked demands for justice that, eight years later, still remain elusive for many.