KNCHR demands swift justice for murdered refugee teen girl in Wajir
In a voice recording to her mother, Gaala described the abuse she was enduring for rejecting a forced marriage to a 55-year-old man.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has demanded immediate action following the brutal murder of 17-year-old Gaala Aden Abdi, a refugee from Dadaab, who was killed in Ademasajida, Wajir County, on March 22, 2025.
The commission has called on the government to strengthen legal protections against child and forced marriages, ensure justice for the victim, and uphold Kenya’s obligation to safeguard refugee rights.
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Gaala’s murder has shocked the country, with details of her final moments revealing a horrific case of gender-based violence.
In a voice recording to her mother, Gaala described the abuse she was enduring for rejecting a forced marriage to a 55-year-old man. Her body was later found severely burned, with multiple stab wounds and a spinal injury.
As a result, the KNCHR on Friday urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the National Police Service (NPS) must expedite investigations and ensure that all those responsible face the full force of the law,” said KNCHR Vice-Chairperson Dr. Raymond Nyeris.
The commission also called for stronger protection measures for victims of forced marriages and gender-based violence, particularly in refugee camps.
Law enforcement
The commission placed responsibility on both the county and national governments to ensure that laws against child and forced marriages are strictly enforced.
“The County Government of Wajir and the national government must take firm action against these practices,” KNCHR stated.
It further called for psychosocial and legal support for Gaala’s family and other survivors of similar abuses.
As part of the broader call to protect refugees, KNCHR urged the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) to fully implement the Refugee Act 2021, which provides legal protection for asylum seekers.
The commission emphasised that special attention should be given to vulnerable individuals, ensuring they are safeguarded from gender-based violence.
KNCHR also urged civil society and the public to speak out against forced marriages and gender-based violence.
“It is time to break the silence and report these cases to authorities,” the commission said, adding that communities must actively reject harmful cultural practices that endanger young girls.
Kenya has long been seen as a safe haven for refugees, but KNCHR warned that Gaala’s murder threatens the spirit of integration and protection envisioned in the Shirika Plan.
“This crime stands in direct opposition to the principles of inclusion and refugee protection that Kenya has upheld for years,” the commission stated.
Beyond seeking justice for Gaala, KNCHR stressed that her killing was a violation of constitutional rights.
“Article 26 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to life, and Article 29 protects individuals from violence and inhumane treatment. Gaala’s murder is a tragic failure of our collective duty to protect the most vulnerable,” Nyeris noted.
In addition, the commission vowed to continue pushing for accountability, insisting that authorities must act to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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