Governor Nyong'o during baby Pendo's requiem mass in Kisumu Friday. [Photo|Facebook]
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has declared February 8, 2018 will be a public holiday in Kisumu County.
The day, he said, will be used to remember six-month-old baby Samantha Pendo who recently died after allegedly being hit by a police officer during protests in Kisumu town following IEBC’s announcement that President Uhuru Kenyatta won the presidential election.
He made the declaration during a requiem mass for the late Pendo in Kisumu on Friday at St Stephen Catholic Church. The day will be called ‘Baby Samantha Day’.
Pendo succumbed to head injuries while undergoing treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Kisumu.
She had been in a coma for two days following the attack at Kilo area in Nyalenda estate.
Police in Kisumu were accused of breaking into houses and beating up residents in the pretext of quelling protests that followed IEBC’s declaration that President Uhuru Kenyatta trounced opposition leader Raila Odinga during the August 8 general election.
Independent Police Oversight Authority said it will investigate whether police killed the baby during the crackdown on demonstrations.
Other leaders who attended the requiem mass included Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili, Senator Fred Outa alongside MCAs.
Nyong'o did not explain why he chose February 8 as the day for remembering Pendo.