By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, 18 November 2025 - As the Hagadera community continues to mourn the Grade 9 girl defiled and murdered at home, her distressed father has come out, stating he was torn between protecting her daughter and fending for the family.
A 14-year-old Safiya Hussein Bilal from Borehole 5 area died in unclear circumstances in and already, her uncle and three others are in custody.
The uncle, identified as Shafe Bilal, is the main suspect, while another man and two women are being held over allegations that they tried to conceal the murder.
Shafe alongside Abukar Abdullahi, Halima Yussuf Moge, and Zeinab Salat Samatar are being held at Hagadera Police Station.
Mzee Hussein Bilal Shaqlane, the father of murdered girl, on Tuesday told journalists that even though he is aware that his daughter’s perfect guard would be when she is staying with him as the father or with her brother, he had an inner struggle as a provider for his four children.
That said, he never expected his own brother would be the main suspect.
Faced with the tough choice of whether to stay home to protect them or leave to earn a living herding livestock, he chose the latter.
“I went to herd livestock for a modest KSh 10,000 wage to be able to provide for my children and other family members,” he said.
“I was heartbroken over what to do,” he said simply.
“If I stayed, my family would go hungry. So, I chose to work, and hoped that I would find all of them alive.”
Now his brother is the main suspect and he is heartbroken.
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His brother faces the gravest charges of sexual assault and murder, while the others are accused of helping to hide the crime.
A Dadaab magistrate court granted police 21 days on Monday to hold them and complete their investigation.
Former Fafi councillor Noor Bare Ali said that the matter was almost being concealed.
He claimed that some of the girl’s relatives tried to lie to the police that hers was a natural death.
But community members’ intervention brought a standstill, ensuring that Safiya's body was not rushed to burial without a proper post-mortem.
Mr Omar Mohamud, the sub-county children’s officer, condemned the violence and murder.
“We stopped any hasty burial and are pushing for full justice,” Mr Mohamud said.
Parents have been urged to be vigilant, especially during holidays like this, to protect their children must keep a close eye on your little ones.
