GARISSA– The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged three men at the Garissa High Court with the alleged murder of a 17-year-old refugee girl in Wajir County.

Principal Prosecution Counsel Mr. Benard Owuor told the court that the three suspects, Mohammed Kassim Tiffow, Mussa Sheikh Ahmed, and Adan Mohammed Ahmed are accused of murdering Gaala Adan on 22nd March 2025 at Lolkuta South Sub-location, Wara Location, Hadado Sub-County, within Wajir County.

Before the case was moved to Garissa, it was first presented at the Wajir Magistrate’s Court, where a magistrate directed that the matter be referred to the High Court in Garissa, citing the seriousness of the offence and jurisdictional procedures for murder trials.

Following the DPP’s directive, investigators exhumed the body of the deceased under court orders to allow for a comprehensive postmortem examination conducted by a government pathologist.

Three suspects Mohammed Kassim Tiffow, Mussa Sheikh Ahmed, and Adan Mohammed Ahmed have been arraigned at the Garissa High Court over the killing of 17-year-old Gaala Aden, who allegedly refused to marry a 55-year-old man.

They pleaded not guilty before Justice John Onyiego and… pic.twitter.com/N0dDg1TDa8

— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) May 7, 2025

This step was crucial in collecting fresh forensic samples to determine the actual cause of death, which had earlier been unclear due to the circumstances under which the burial took place.

Human Rights in Wajir  has criticized the handling of  case, citing lack of transparency and professionalism by security agencies.

The group also raised alarm over attempts by some individuals to bury the case for personal gain, calling for a fair and independent investigation to ensure justice is not compromised.

Gaala Adan, born on 1st January 2008, had reportedly been married to the first accused, 40-year-old Mohammed Kassim Tiffow, in a traditional Somali ceremony held on 22nd February 2025 at the Dagahaley Refugee Camp.

However, the union allegedly turned violent after the girl reportedly changed her mind about the marriage and attempted to leave, triggering a series of events that led to her death.

All three suspects denied the murder charges before Justice John Onyiego at the Garissa High Court. The judge ordered the preparation of a pre-bail report, which will guide the court in determining bond or bail terms.

The accused will remain in custody at the Garissa GK Prison until 15th May 2025, when the case is scheduled for mention.