Parents, teachers and human rights activists and defenders in Garissa county are outraged after a Grade Nine girl in Fafi Subcounty was defiled and killed.
The minor, who had recently completed her Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) on November 3, was defiled on Sunday evening.
The incident was reported at the Hagadera Police Station.
The suspect, who was identified as her close guardian, is already in police custody and is set to appear in court once investigations are complete.
"Following the incident, the primary suspect and three additional individuals involved in attempting to conceal the victim’s body were apprehended and are currently held at Hagadera Police Station. The case has been handed over to the DCIO Hagadera for further investigation," a police report stated.
A senior official at the institution where the minor was attending confirmed the incident and called on the police to expedite the investigations and ensure that the suspect faces the full force of the law.
Hassan described the minor as a promising and hardworking learner whose life was cut short must get justice.
“I am really pained by this beastly and heinous act, which is not only a violation of the child’s dignity and bodily integrity, but also a serious crime that cannot—and must not—be tolerated in our community,” Hassan said.
Speaking to the press in Garissa, human rights activists led by Muktar Dahir, chairperson of the Garissa Human Rights Defenders Network condemned the incident, and called on the authorities to ensure the case is handled swiftly and transparently.
“We stand in full solidarity with the victim and her family during this difficult time. We demand that the Government, through the relevant investigative and prosecutorial agencies, move with utmost speed to arrest all those responsible and ensure that justice is served without delay or interference,” he said.
“The protection of children is a constitutional obligation, and any failure to act decisively sends a dangerous message that perpetrators can harm our daughters with impunity. This cannot be allowed,” Muktar added.
On her part, Nimo Iftin Ali, another human rights defender, called on the Ministry of Education, security agencies, and child protection officers to strengthen coordinated efforts to safeguard our children, especially girls, who remain extremely vulnerable to sexual violence.
She called on parents and guardians to remain extra vigilant, saying that people with bad intentions are always within.
“Rapists and individuals with harmful intentions often take advantage of school breaks to target unsuspecting minors. My appeal is to urge families and communities to keep a close watch on children, especially girls, who are the most vulnerable. They should know their whereabouts,” Nimo said.
Garissa County Director of Education Abdihamid Maalim Ali equally condemned the incident, saying it was an unfortunate and saddening incident for both the family and the school, adding that justice must be served.
He urged parents to be watchful, protecting children against any violence during these long school holidays.
Efforts to interview the parents about the incident were not successful as they were too traumatised to speak about the incident.
