President William Ruto’s women’s rights advisor, Harriette Chiggai, has condemned the brutal murder of 17-year-old Gaala Aden Abdi in Wajir County for refusing to be married off to a 55-year-old man.
Gaala was killed and burned beyond recognition for resisting a forced marriage, sparking outrage from Kenyans and rights groups.
Chiggai, in a statement, said, “The weight of this injustice is unbearable, and we must confront it with urgency.”
“Justice must be swift and uncompromising; her abusers, and those who turned a blind eye, must be held accountable,” she noted, urging Kenyans to take collective responsibility against such incidents.
“We must create safe spaces, protect our girls, and ensure that every child has the right to a life free from violence, a life filled with opportunity. This is our collective responsibility, and we must act now,” added Chiggai.
The National Police Service (NPS) on Saturday said three suspects had been arrested in connection to Ms Abdi’s murder.
“Police were able to move with speed and apprehend three main suspects, amongst them the purported ‘husband’ to the child,” NPS said.
The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) are among various bodies which have spoken out against the incident.
The 17-year-old was reportedly subjected to severe abuse, ultimately killed, and her body burnt beyond recognition.
She was a refugee and had been transported at night from the Dagahley refugee camp, 150 kilometers away, to the remote Wara village in Habaswein to meet her supposed husband for the first time.
Her rejection, despite coercion from the man’s relatives, led to her killing. She reportedly made a call revealing plans for her death and naming those who orchestrated it.
