The High Court has summoned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to appear in January 2025.
The court is demanding an explanation for the failure to arrest a senior police officer, Mohammed Baa, who is linked to the 2017 murder of Baby Samantha Pendo and the deaths of 38 others in Kisumu during the post-election violence.
This order marks the latest turn in a long-standing case aiming to deliver justice for victims of the deadly crackdowns following the contentious 2017 elections.
In October 2024, the High Court instructed IG Kanja to arrest and produce Baa in court. Baa, one of 12 senior police officers accused of murder and other crimes against humanity in Kisumu, has reportedly evaded authorities for over two years.
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Justice Lilian Mutende issued this directive following a petition from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which argued that without Baa’s presence, proceeding with the trial would undermine the fairness of the case.
Baby Pendo’s case has been widely followed in Kenya, symbolizing the broader demand for accountability and reform within the security forces.
The infant was tragically killed in her family’s home during police operations following the 2017 general election, drawing national and international condemnation.
The plea-taking for the 11 other accused officers, who have been in custody, was initially set for October 2024 but was deferred to November 5, 2024, to allow time for Baa’s arrest.
The ODPP insists that trying only 11 of the 12 officers would prejudice the outcome of the trial, which includes charges of murder, assault, and other human rights abuses tied to the post-election violence.
The High Court’s directive sees a renewed push for accountability in one of Kenya’s most high-profile cases of alleged police brutality, as it seeks justice for Baby Pendo and the other victims of the violence in Kisumu.
By Newhub