Court grants police 14 days to hold suspects in Gaala Aden’s murder case
Gaala, a refugee, was murdered after refusing to marry a 55-year-old man who is among the arrested suspects. She endured 27 days of beatings before succumbing to her injuries.
Police have been granted 14 days to detain three suspects linked to the brutal murder of 17-year-old Gaala Aden following their appearance in court on Tuesday morning.
Wajir Principal Magistrate Roselyn Aganyo approved the police application, allowing them more time to complete investigations into the tragic killing.
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Gaala, a refugee, was murdered after refusing to marry a 55-year-old man who is among the arrested suspects. She endured 27 days of beatings before succumbing to her injuries.
Confirming the arrests over the weekend, National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga stated that a probe had begun to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
"While investigators must be allowed to piece together all the circumstances that led to this most tragic death, NPS deeply regrets this incident and condoles with the victim’s family. We also urge the wider Kenyan community to abandon harmful cultural practices and allow children to be just that: children," Nyaga said.
He also acknowledged the crucial role of the public in facilitating the arrests, stating that vital leads provided by concerned citizens had led to the suspects' capture and detention.
"We wish to thank all persons of goodwill who shared information, which ultimately resulted in the arrest of the three suspects," he added.
Gaala’s murder has sparked national outrage, with horrifying details emerging about her final moments of suffering.
In a voice recording sent to her mother, she described the abuse she endured for rejecting a forced marriage. Her body was later found severely burned, with multiple stab wounds and a spinal injury, highlighting the brutality of gender-based violence.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has called for swift legal action.
"The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the National Police Service (NPS) must expedite investigations and ensure all those responsible face the full force of the law," said KNCHR Vice Chairperson Dr Raymond Nyeris.
Meanwhile, Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jeho and National Gender Commission Chair Rehema Jaldesa have demanded justice for Gaala, urging authorities to act swiftly to protect the rights and dignity of girls in Northern Kenya.
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