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By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, 17 November 2025 - At least four people have been arrested and arraigned following the defilement and murder of a Grade 9 pupil in Hagadera, Garissa County.
Authorities confirmed that the main suspect – uncle to the deceased - and three others, who are accused of concealing the offence, are being held to face several charges including murder in an incident that has sparked outrage in Garissa.
The suspects in custody have been identified as Shafe Bilal, Abukar Abdullahi, Halima Yussuf Moge, Zeinab Salat Samatar.
They were arraigned at Dadaab Law Courts where police obtained custodial orders to hold the suspects for 21 days until investigations are over.
“Besides the prime suspect, we have arrested three more people who we suspect have intention to conceal the defilement and murder offences which are very serious,” the officer who declined to be identified said on Monday.
The officer said the other three include two women who are said to have washed the body while the man is said to have misled the police that the deceased died of ‘natural death’.
The incident which occurred in the family home at Borehole 5 in Hagadera has sparked outrage with residents asking the authorities for speedy investigations into the murder.
According to family sources, the girl was staying with her grandmother after the death of her mother, the grandmother also died last year, they were under the custody of other relatives including the prime suspect, the father was away with the family's livestock at the time of incident.
The deceased was buried in line with Islamic rite after a postmortem was done at International Rescue Committee (IRC) Hospital at Hagdera refugee camp.
Khalif Hassan, the Head of Institution at Borehole 5 Primary and Junior School where the deceased was schooling, said the Grade 9 learner had completed her Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) assessment on 3 November 2025.
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“My office and Board of Management request the government to take over the matter and we pray that she will get justice,” he said in a statement.
Ms Fatuma Ahmed Bathi, a Garissa-based human rights activists, condemned the alleged defilement and brutal murder of the young girl and urged the government must come up with stringent measures to curb the vise.
“This is very unfortunate that young girls undergo such brutal treatment from someone they trust. We are demanding justice for this girl and many others,” Ms Bathi said.
She claimed that authorities have failed in their mandate to protect girls and vulnerable women from sex predators saying delay of cases gives a window for negotiation locally known as “maslaha”.
“Often times police and justice system betray these victims and give chances for elders to negotiate with sexual offenders. That is why the brutal tragedy occurs in the midst of society,” she quipped.
In March 2025, there was an uproar following the brutal murder of a 17-year-old refugee girl. The girl is said to have been married off traditionally before attaining the age of 18.
Three main suspects, including her alleged husband were arrested and charged with murder.
Garissa Human Rights Network chairperson Muktar Dahir Osman regretted the incidents adding that concerted effort is needed to combat such incidents of gender-based violence.
“What we expect is nothing more than justice, we are asking the police to immediately investigate and ensure the young girl gets justice,” Mr Osman said.
