Seven Years On, Parents of Baby Samantha Demand Justice in Police Brutality Case

KEKenya|

Seven years after the tragic death of their six-month-old daughter, Samantha Pendo, during a police operation in Kenya, Joseph Oloo Abanja and Lensa Achieng continue their arduous quest for justice. The family, residing in Kisumu, an opposition stronghold, is grappling with the pain of a case that has seen multiple delays. Samantha died from severe injuries after police, during a midnight raid amid post-election unrest in 2017, forcibly entered their home, deploying tear gas and inflicting violence.

On the night of the incident, the couple had barricaded their door but were met with aggressive police force. Achieng recalls holding her daughter as they were beaten, eventually leading to Samantha's hospitalization, where she succumbed after three days in intensive care. Despite initial investigations and a public inquest that found the police culpable, the case against twelve police officers remains stalled, with attempts to proceed to trial repeatedly postponed.

Victims' attorney Willys Otieno condemns the lack of political will to pursue accountability for police brutality. The current Director of Public Prosecutions has faced criticism for delays, with the upcoming plea hearing postponed due to administrative changes. As the parents await justice, discussions of pursuing alternative legal avenues, including private prosecution or international courts, are emerging.

Amidst the prolonged wait for justice, Samantha’s parents express their despair, emphasizing that each delay reopens their emotional wounds. Abanja vows to continue fighting for justice, stating, “Because they took away something that is so much precious of me."

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