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Baby Pendo Murder Case: DPP Drops Charges Against 8 Senior Officers, 4 Now Facing Prosecution
In a major development in the long-running Baby Pendo murder case, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has dropped charges against eight senior police officers. However, four officers have now been formally charged over the brutal death of six-month-old Samantha Pendo during the 2017 post-election violence in Kisumu.
The DPP, following a thorough review of the case, approved serious charges—including murder and rape—against John Chengo Masha, Lina Kogey, Cyprine Robi Wankio, and James Rono.
First-Ever International Crimes Charges Against Kenyan Police
John Chengo Masha, a senior police officer, now faces charges under the International Crimes Act, making this the first time Kenyan police officers are being prosecuted under the statute. He is accused of:
- Murder and rape
- Crimes against humanity
- Failing to prevent atrocities committed by officers under his command
Court documents detail horrific events allegedly carried out under Masha’s watch. Police reportedly stormed civilian homes, beat residents with clubs, raped more than 20 women, and used tear gas on families. Some victims were forced to pay bribes between Ksh.500 and Ksh.2,000 to escape further abuse. Witnesses claim many officers stood by and watched without intervening.
Other Officers Charged
Lina Kogey faces murder charges stemming from the August 12, 2017, police crackdown. Both she and the other accused were ordered to remain within court jurisdiction for at least seven days and are barred from contacting any witnesses.
Prosecutors say the accused failed in their duty to prevent the crimes, effectively allowing the violence to unfold.
Charges Dropped, Suspects Missing
Among the eight officers whose charges were dropped is Mohamed Baa, who has reportedly been missing since the 2017 incident. Authorities say his disappearance complicates efforts to hold all suspects accountable.
A Step Toward Justice
The Baby Pendo case has attracted nationwide and international attention. Human rights groups have praised the latest legal move as a bold step toward ending police impunity in Kenya. The prosecution under the International Crimes Act signals a shift in how the country addresses grave human rights violations.
Samantha Pendo was just six months old when she was fatally injured during a police raid. Her death became a tragic symbol of the 2017 election chaos and the high cost of unchecked state violence.
In other news: Sexual Abuse of Nuns: The Catholic Church’s Shocking Untold Scandal
Baby Pendo Murder Case: DPP Drops Charges Against 8 Senior Officers, 4 Now Facing Prosecution