The four ladies at the Garissa law courts. /STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
Three women accused of abducting a 23-year-old woman and facilitating her rape were on Monday detained for seven days by a Garissa court as police continue investigations into the case.
The suspects — Ayan Ahmed, 23, Fartun Ahmed, 19, and Ifrah Abdi, 21 — were arraigned before Garissa Resident Magistrate Rachael Ng’ang’a but did not take a plea.
In a packed courtroom filled with family members and curious residents, the magistrate ordered that the three be held at Iftin Police Station for seven days pending completion of investigations.
A fourth suspect, believed to be a minor, was ordered to be taken to a children's centre for age assessment.
The investigating officer attached to Iftin Police Station told the court that more time was needed to complete investigations. He said police were yet to record a statement from the victim, who remains under medical observation, and had not completed recording statements from key witnesses.
“The four suspects were arrested on Saturday, and we believe they are a flight risk and might also interfere with the ongoing investigation. We request the court to hold them for seven days,” the officer told the court.
Police further informed the court that the victim is still admitted to hospital and that more suspects linked to the incident are yet to be arrested.
According to the victim’s relatives, the 23-year-old woman, identified only as MDG, was forcefully bundled into a Toyota Probox in Garissa town before being taken to an isolated location where four men allegedly raped her.
The relatives claimed the suspects publicly forced the woman into the vehicle in full view of members of the public. When onlookers questioned their actions, they allegedly claimed she was a relative suffering from a mental condition and that they were taking her home.
The victim's family said a breakthrough in the case came while she was receiving treatment at Garissa Referral Hospital.
“While undergoing treatment at Garissa Referral Hospital, she identified one of the suspects who happened to be at the hospital and she also led to others,” said one of the victim’s relatives, who requested anonymity.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
