Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has made an impassioned appeal to Chief Justice Martha Koome, urging her to intervene and expedite justice in the tragic case of Baby Samantha Pendo. The six-month-old infant lost her life during a violent police crackdown on post-election protests in Kisumu in 2017. Despite the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s directives to charge 12 police officers with murder, allegations of rape, and torture, the case has faced years of postponements and setbacks.
Nyong’o condemned the repeated delays as a gross violation of human rights, expressing frustration over the postponement of plea-taking for the third time. The most recent adjournment was attributed to the transfer of the judge previously assigned to the case, a reason the Governor described as a flimsy excuse.
“The reasons given for the aborted plea-taking are not convincing and appear to be mere scapegoats,” he said during a press statement. “The continued postponement of this case is unacceptable and a blatant violation of human rights.”
Baby Pendo’s case, which has become a symbol of the fight against police brutality in Kenya, has yet to see meaningful progress in court. Governor Nyong’o lamented that the delays have left the suspects free and still employed in the police service. He emphasized that such inaction not only undermines justice but also erodes public trust in the Judiciary and other institutions meant to protect human rights.
Nyong’o called on Chief Justice Koome to investigate the reasons behind the stalled proceedings and ensure that the case is prioritized. “Justice Koome should ensure the case progresses with the speed it deserves,” he urged, adding that it is imperative for the Judiciary and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to hold the suspects accountable.
The Governor also hinted at escalating the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC) should local mechanisms fail to deliver justice. “If the delays persist, we may have no choice but to seek intervention from the ICC,” he stated.
The prolonged pursuit of justice in Baby Pendo’s case highlights systemic challenges in Kenya’s judicial system, particularly in addressing cases of police misconduct. Nyong’o’s appeal underscores the urgency of holding those responsible to account, both for the sake of Baby Pendo’s family and to restore confidence in the rule of law.
