IG Kanja Ordered To Arrest Senior Police Officer In Baby Pendo’s Brutal Murder

The Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja has been directed by the High Court of Kenya to arrest Mohammed Baa, a senior police officers in the 2017 famous baby Pendo brutal murder....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Lady Justice Lilian Mutende in issuing the order, said that the Inspector general of police should execute the warrant of arrest against the police officer as earlier on issued and arraign the other 11 accused police officers in Court on November 5, 2024 for plea taking.

“The inspector General of police is hereby directed to execute warrant of arrest against the suspect as earlier on issued by the Court” ordered Lady Justice Lilian Mutende.

Baa is charged alongside other 11 police officers over the principle of responsibility culminating from various crimes against humanity, raging from torture, rape and senseless murder.

The accused police officer in the murder, rape and torture crimes are; Titus Yoma, Titus Mutune, John Chengo, Linah Kogey, Benjamin Koima, Benjamin Lorema, Volker Edambo, Cyprine Robe, Josphat Sensira, Mohammed Ali Guyo, James Rono and Mohammed Baa who has remained at large.

They were all expected to take plea today of the murder of the 6 months old Pendo in 2017 during the post-election chaos.

However, the Office of the Director of Public prosecutions applied to have the plea differed to a later date given the absence of the suspects in the case and allow police time to execute warrants of arrest against the missing suspect.

These officers are facing a total of 47 counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and rape, which were allegedly committed during the 2017 post-election violence in Kisumu.

While Baby Pendo’s death is the focal point of the trial, the charges also encompass broader allegations of police misconduct during the unrest, highlighting the systemic issues within Kenya’s police force.

The accused police officers had earlier on challenged their prosecution in Kenyan Court saying Kenya does not have Jurisdiction to try crimes against humanity cases and that the prosecution of such crimes are reserved for the International Criminal Court only.

The trial is a landmark moment for Kenya’s justice system, as it seeks to hold accountable high-ranking police officers for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the violence that ensued after the disputed 2017 elections.

The case, rooted in systemic failures, political volatility, and the longstanding issue of police brutality, has far-reaching implications for police reforms and human rights in Kenya…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>