Police have arrested three suspects in
connection with the tragic death of a 17-year-old girl in Wajir County.
Gaala Aden Abdi was murdered, and her body burnt beyond recognition
for refusing to marry a 55-year-old man.
The 55-year-old man is among those arrested.
In a statement on Saturday, the
National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed the arrests,
saying that officers acted swiftly to apprehend the key suspects.
“The National Police Service wishes
to confirm to the public that following the tragic death of the 17-year-old
‘child bride,’ the police were able to move with speed and apprehend three main
suspects, amongst them the purported ‘husband’ to the child,” said Nyaga.
Investigations into the
circumstances surrounding the girl’s death are ongoing.
Nyaga emphasized that authorities
must be allowed to conduct their work without prejudice.
“While investigators have to be
allowed without prejudice to piece together all the circumstances that led to
this most tragic death, NPS deeply regrets this death and condoles with the
family of the victim,” he said.
Urged Kenyans to reject harmful
cultural practices, particularly those that put children at risk.
“We ask the wider Kenyan community
to desist from harmful cultural practices while letting children be just that:
children,” Nyaga stated.
The three suspects are expected to
be arraigned once processing is complete.
Nyaga also extended gratitude to
members of the public who shared crucial information leading to the arrests.
“We would also wish to thank all
persons of goodwill who were able to widely share leads that culminated in the
arrest of the three suspects,” he added.
The police have reiterated their
commitment to upholding law and order as they continue investigations into the
case.
