The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Wednesday, July 23 requested the High Court at Milimani to have the Baby Pendo murder case involving four senior police officers transferred to Kisumu for trial.
The DPP told the court that transferring the case to Kisumu will better serve the ends of justice, while noting that the alleged crimes such as murder, rape, and torture, were known to have been committed in areas of Nyalenda, Nyamasaria, Kondele, and Obunga within Kisumu County.
The DPP further notified the court that there are over 80 witnesses, mostly who reside in Kisumu and they will be required to travel to Nairobi for proceedings which would incur them undue costs and logistical challenges.
John Chengo Masha, Linah Kosgey, Cyprine Robi Wankio, and James Rono are the accused persons, who were inspector of police at the time the crime is said to have been committed.
The four have jointly been charged before Lady Hon. Justice Margaret Waringa Muigai with 11 counts of rape which is a crime against humanity, 11 alternative counts for failing to prevent or suppress widespread acts of sexual violence committed by their subordinates, 38 counts of torture as crimes against humanity, and alternative charges for neglecting to submit these serious allegations for investigation and prosecution.
The accused persons are alleged to have committed the offenses between 11th and 12th August 2017.
The court will deliver its ruling on the transfer application on 18th September 2025.
