Four senior police officers accused of being involved in the killing of six-month-old Samantha Pendo during the 2017 post-election chaos in Kisumu have been granted bail by the High Court.
Justice Margaret Muigai, presiding over the case, released the officers on a cash bail of Ksh.1 million each, with two sureties of Ksh.500,000 per accused. The court emphasized that while bail is a constitutional right, it comes with strict conditions meant to safeguard the integrity of the trial.
Among the conditions, the officers are barred from contacting witnesses or victims, prohibited from visiting the crime scene, and must surrender their passports. They are also required to report to the nearest IPOA office every three months pending the hearing.
Baby Pendo died in August 2017 after she was hit on the head by a police rungu during a security crackdown in Kisumu’s Nyalenda estate, where officers had been deployed to quell violent demonstrations following the disputed presidential election results. Her tragic death drew widespread condemnation and became a rallying point in calls for police accountability and justice for victims of post-election violence.
The matter is set for mention on July 2, 2025, as the court prepares for the full hearing.
At the same time, the court extended an arrest warrant for the 11th suspect who is still on the run. Authorities have been directed to intensify efforts to apprehend the fugitive and ensure they face justice alongside their co-accused.
The Baby Pendo case continues to be a painful reminder of the cost of unchecked police force during civil unrest and a test of Kenya’s commitment to justice and accountability.
