Baby Pendo murder case: Nyong’o urges CJ Koome to intervene, threatens to write to ICC

Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has called on Chief Justice Martha Koome to urgently intervene in the long-delayed murder case of Baby Samantha Pendo, a six-month-old who was brutally killed during post-election protests in 2017.

In a press statement released on Friday, the Governor decried the lack of progress in the case against 12 police officers accused of the infant’s death, labeling the delays a “blatant violation of human rights.”

“I wish to appeal to the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya, Justice Martha Koome, to take up this matter and ensure the case progresses with the speed it deserves,” Governor Nyong’o stated.

“The Judiciary and the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) must prioritize the Baby Pendo case by ensuring that the suspects are made to take plea as soon as possible.”

The officers, linked to the brutal killing of Baby Pendo in Kisumu’s Nyalenda estate, were to face charges of murder, rape, and torture.

However, seven years after the incident, the case has yet to gain meaningful traction. The most recent plea-taking session, scheduled for Thursday, was postponed for the third time due to the transfer of the presiding judge.

“The reasons given for the aborted plea-taking are not convincing and appear to be mere scapegoats,” Nyong’o remarked, expressing concern over the continued freedom of the accused officers, who remain employed within the police service.

The killing of Baby Pendo, whose skull was reportedly crushed with batons during a police crackdown, became a global symbol of the violence and human rights violations that marred Kenya’s 2017 election aftermath.

Governor Nyong’o lamented the prolonged wait for justice and suggested that the case may be facing deliberate sabotage.

“The people of Kisumu who suffered police brutality in 2017 are eager to see justice done to the victims,” he said.

“The CJ must find out immediately whether someone or groups of people are sabotaging this case to protect some people.”

The Interim Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader also warned that Kenya risks international scrutiny under the Rome Statute if the justice system continues to fail.

He hinted at seeking intervention from the International Criminal Court (ICC) should the delays persist.

“We may be forced to write to the ICC to move in should the local courts continue to delay the cases because justice delayed is justice denied,” he concluded.