Baby Pendo revisited, court to rule case

A year down the line, Baby Samantha Pendo, who was allegedly killed by police during the 2017 post-election violence is yet to receive justice.

There is however a glimpse of hope with a Kisumu court now expected to rule on the inquest into the death of the six-month-old.

The inquest took over 10 months before Kisumu Senior Resident Magistrate Beryl Omollo saw over 20 witnesses take to the witness stand.

Baby Pendo’s parents Lencer Achieng and Joseph Abanja alongside several junior and senior police officers and also medical staff who attended to the baby, testified during the inquest.

According to legal experts, there are three probable outcomes in the ruling that include lack of sufficient evidence to link anyone into her death thereby bringing the inquest to a halt.

The Magistrate may also direct the prosecution to adduce further evidence for scrutiny and lastly the court may say there is sufficient evidence to charge individuals for either murder, manslaughter.

Lawyers led by Richard Onsongo while making their final submissions last year urged the courts to hold the police service and their bosses accountable for the murder of Baby Pendo.

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