Third suspect charged with murder of Gaala Adan, 17, killed after rejecting forced marriage in Wajir
The DPP had earlier charged Tiffow—identified as the deceased’s 40-year-old husband—and Ahmed with Gaala’s murder.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged a third suspect in the murder of 17-year-old Gaala Adan, who was killed in March in Wajir County after refusing to remain in a forced marriage arranged while she was still a minor.
The suspect, Mussa Sheikh, appeared before the Garissa High Court on Thursday.
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Prosecutors told the court that he acted jointly with two other men already facing trial in the same case.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Bernard Owour said Sheikh, together with Mohammed Kassim Tiffow and Adan Mohammed Ahmed, murdered Gaala on March 22, 2025, at Lolkuta South Sub-location, Wara Location, Hadado Sub-county in Wajir County.
Sheikh was arraigned following a second mental assessment, which confirmed he was fit to stand trial. He pleaded not guilty before Justice John Onyiego.
The DPP had earlier charged Tiffow—identified as the deceased’s 40-year-old husband—and Ahmed with Gaala’s murder.
According to court documents, Gaala Adan was born on January 1, 2008, and had been married off to Tiffow in a traditional Somali ceremony held at the Dagahaley Refugee Camp on February 22, 2025.
Public outrage
News that the marriage took place while she was still a minor sparked public outrage and renewed calls to address child marriage and gender-based violence in refugee communities.
In a voice note sent to her mother before her death, Gaala described the abuse she endured for resisting the forced marriage. Her body was later found charred beyond recognition, with severe burns, spinal injuries, and multiple stab wounds.
All three accused have denied the charges, and Justice Onyiego granted each of them a Sh1 million bond.
The hearing is scheduled for October 7 and 8, 2025.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) condemned the incident, calling it a “heinous crime” and urging swift justice.
“This was not just a murder, it was torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and a clear case of femicide,” KNCHR said, warning that the case highlights the deadly consequences of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful cultural practices.
The human rights watchdog also called for urgent enforcement of laws banning child and forced marriages, and urged both national and county governments to provide psychosocial and legal support to Gaala’s family and other survivors.
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