Two GSU officers summoned in baby Pendo death inquest

A Kisumu Court has summoned two General Service Unit (GSU) officers who failed to account for firearms assigned to them during the post election violence period.

The two officers, who were part of a team deployed in Nyalenda slums have been ordered to appear before the inquest probing the death of baby Samantha Pendo.

Senior Resident Magistrate Beryl Omollo ordered Constable Jeffer Omar and Evans Kibet to appear on Friday next week to the explain the whereabouts of firearms assigned to them.

In his testimony on Thursday, Senior Superintendent and GSU Commander Titus Mutune confirmed that some officers failed to return the firearms they had been assigned.

Mutune told the court that the officers were assigned a riot baton, tear gas and guns.

The prosecution has a baton among the exhibits produced that is suspected to have been used to injure and ultimately kill the 6-month-old Pendo.

Lawyer Richard Onsongo, who is representing the Law Society of Kenya in the inquest, said it would be key for the officers to appear since the baton was retrieved from the child’s family compound in Nyalenda.

The police boss however denied that Baby Pendo was assaulted by a GSU officer saying they were operating under a commander who could not allow the incident to happen under his watch.

The hearing resumes on August 10, 2018.