Baby Pendo inquest: Senior police bosses trade blame

Senior police officers who were in charge of security in Kisumu differed openly during the ongoing inquest that seeks to establish who killed baby Samantha Pendo.

Former County Police Boss Tutus Yoma and former Kisumu Central OCPD Mutune Maweu contradicted each other on who was leading security operations at the time.

According to Mutune, he cannot tell which officers were in Nyalenda slum on the night of the incident.

He said this is because a joint force which patrolled the area was under the command of Mr. Yoma.

Mr. Yoma allegedly issued fresh orders that all police officers retreat and only provide security to vital places.

However, in a twist of events, Mr. Yoma denied the claims and accused Mr. Mutune of giving false testimony to the court.

Yoma said on the fateful night, the OCPD was present at the slums and was the one commandeering officers on patrol which included General Service Unit (GSU) officers.

He further claimed that Mutune was better placed identify who were the officers under him.

Yoma also denied ever making any orders to the police to retreat.

He alleged that Mr Mutune kept communicating on radio call that night from Nyalenda which shows that he was actually there in person.

The hearing by Senior Resident Magistrate Beryl Omollo resumes on July 19.