Wamuzi News Ke
Four police officers accused of the brutal murder of baby Samantha Pendo during the 2017 election protests in Kisumu have been released on bond.The Milimani High Court, under the gavel of Justice Margaret Muigai, granted each officer a Sh1 million bond with two sureties of Sh500,000.
The officers — John Chengo Masha, Linah Kosgey, Cyprine Robi Wankio, and James Rono — are facing serious charges under international law, yet have now walked free, triggering anger from human rights groups and victims’ families.
As part of their release conditions, the accused are strictly prohibited from setting foot in Nyalenda, Nyamasaria, or Nyawita — the very neighborhoods where the alleged atrocities occurred.
The court also ordered the four to report to IPOA offices every three months, surrender their passports, and not interfere with witnesses or victims.Meanwhile, a warrant of arrest for Mohammed Baa, another officer linked to the same case, was extended.
The responsibility to execute the warrant now falls squarely on Inspector General Douglas Kanja.The charges against the officers are some of the most severe ever leveled against members of the Kenyan police force.
Under the International Crimes Act and Rome Statute, the officers stand accused of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, and torture—offenses allegedly committed by officers under their direct command.
Masha and Kosgey, in particular, are accused of failing to prevent or stop the killing of six-month-old Samantha Pendo at Kilo Junction, Nyalenda, on the night of August 12, 2017, during a violent police operation.
Despite being in positions of authority, they allegedly did nothing to halt the assault and did not forward the case for investigation — making them complicit in crimes against humanity.But the accusations don’t stop there.
The four officers face 11 counts of assault, tied to widespread attacks on civilians between August 11 and 12, 2017, allegedly carried out by officers under their control. They are also charged with failing to prevent sexual violence against women — crimes they are believed to have had full knowledge of.
Even more disturbing, the officers are facing 38 counts of torture, accused of allowing their subordinates to inflict severe physical and psychological harm on innocent civilians, without reporting the crimes or initiating justice.
The next court session has been scheduled for July 2, 2025, where the matter will be discussed further.The release of the accused on bond has sparked fury among Kenyans still mourning baby Pendo, whose face became a national symbol of the horrors of police brutality. As the nation watches, the demand for justice continues to grow louder.
