Leaders call for justice as Baby Pendo is buried
What you need to know:
- Six-month-old Pendo died following severe head injuries allegedly inflicted by the police during the recent protests in Kisumu following the disputed re-election of President Kenyatta.
- Baby Pendo’s father, Mr Joseph Oloo, was too emotional to eulogise his daughter.
- Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili called on the government to apprehend the policeman who clobbered the baby to death.
Politicians and the family of baby Samantha Pendo are demanding justice for the youngest victim of the protests that followed the August 8 election.
Six-month-old Pendo died following severe head injuries allegedly inflicted by the police during the recent protests in Kisumu following the disputed re-election of President Kenyatta.
During her emotional send- off at Konjra village in Ugunja, Siaya County, on Saturday, Baby Pendo’s mother, Mrs Lensa Oloo, called on the government to ensure the family got justice by apprehending her daughter’s killers.
She cautioned the government against denying the family justice “following the painful demise.”
“Baby Samantha was precious to me. We need to know what happened to the precious angel. We want justice,” said the emotional mother.
Baby Pendo’s father, Mr Joseph Oloo, was too emotional to eulogise his daughter.
APPREHEND POLICEMEN
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili called on the government to apprehend the policeman who clobbered the baby to death.
“We are calling upon the government to expose the policemen who killed baby Pendo if it is committed to delivering justice to the angel,” said Dr Owili.
He said the attack on the baby was deliberately carried out by the government to silence the protesters.
Dr Owili said that the killing of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ICT Manager Chris Msando and baby Pendo will not be in vain.
He also called on the court to deliver justice insisting that peace cannot exist without justice.
“Peace is not guaranteed without justice; they should know that we will not relent in our quest for democracy and good governance,” said Dr Owilli.
Other leaders included Kisumu MCAs-elect Joseph Olale, Victor Rogers Otieno, David Arao, Seth Ochieng’, Joachim Oketch and Siaya’s Peter Odero.
PROTESTERS
Mr Arao said those who killed Baby Pendo and the protesters will face justice before God.
“Our God is just and police who killed Samantha will appear before him,” said Mr Arao.
Mr Oketch wondered why it has taken the government weeks to tell Kenyans who killed Baby Pendo.
He also faulted the government for profiling people who were peacefully demonstrating to protest the outcome of the presidential election.
“We want them to identify the policeman who killed the baby. It is sad being targeted for protesting over election results,” said Mr Oketch.
VICTORY
He said that they will fight for their victory “within and outside the confines of the law.”
Rev Samuel Nyasaya also condemned the baby’s killing and faulted the police for using excessive force.
He also faulted youths for “over-expressing” their anger to the extent of giving the police an excuse to use live bullets and other weapons.
“Baby Pendo’s death devastated her parents and police continue to deny that she died in their hands,” said Rev Nyasaya.
