Baby Pendo murder case: DPP drops charges against six senior police officers
The National Police Service informed the court that Mohammed Baa, who is linked to the brutal killing of Baby Samantha Pendo remains at large, years after the tragic incident that sparked nationwide outrage.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said after reviewing the case files in the Baby Pendo murder case, it has approved charges against only four individuals, with charges against the remaining six suspects being dropped.
The ODPP, led by prosecution counsel Vincent Monda, told the court that after reviewing the case files, it has approved charges against only four individuals, with charges against the six remaining suspects being dropped.
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"Your honour, we will be charging only four accused persons in the case and with us in court is the amended charge sheet ready to charge the four," the prosecution said.
The case is before High Court Judge Margaret Mbugua.
Among those charged is John Chengo Masha, who now faces serious allegations including murder and crimes against humanity under the International Crimes Act.
The court had earlier been told that the eleventh suspect in the Baby Pendo murder case is still hiding.
The National Police Service informed the court that Mohammed Baa, who is linked to the brutal killing of Baby Samantha Pendo, remains at large, years after the tragic incident that sparked nationwide outrage.
Mohammed, a retired police officer, has never been arrested since the case began. Police efforts to locate Baa at his rural home in Wajir County have so far been unsuccessful.
“The homestead appeared deserted, with no visible signs of human movement,” the court was told.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had stated that it has reviewed the case in light of new findings.
“In view of the report, the ODPP has reviewed the case and amended the information accordingly,” the court was told.
However, the defence noted that the nature of the amendments has not been disclosed publicly.
The Baby Pendo case dates back to August 2017, when six-month-old Samantha Pendo was fatally injured during a police operation to quell post-election protests in Kisumu. Following an inquest, several officers were found culpable, prompting widespread calls for justice and accountability.
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