By Neville Oduor
The Garissa High Court witnessed a significant development in the tragic murder case of 17-year-old refugee girl Gaala Adan, as two suspects were charged afresh following a mental health assessment of a third suspect.
The case, which had sparked outrage over issues of child marriage and gender-based violence, involved the brutal killing of Gaala on March 22, 2025 in Lolkuta South Sub-location, Wara Location, Hadado Sub-County, Wajir County.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recharged Mohammed Kassim Tiffow, the 40-year-old husband of the deceased and Adan Mohammed Ahmed after a mental assessment revealed that the third suspect, Mussa Sheikh Ahmed was unfit to stand trial.
According to the ODPP, the deceased was born on January 1, 2008 and was married to Tiffow, the first accused, aged 45, in a traditional Somali ceremony on February 22, 2025, at Dagahaley Refugee Camp.
Reports indicate that Gaala rejected the union shortly after, leading to violent confrontations that culminated in her death.
Her body was later found burned beyond recognition, a detail that has horrified the public.
“The two pleaded not guilty to the murder charges before Justice John Onyiego,” revealed the ODPP.
The court ordered that Mussa Sheikh Ahmed be admitted to Mathare Mental Hospital in Nairobi for treatment, with a directive that he will face charges once deemed fit to stand trial.
Justice Onyiego also instructed the Garissa probation office to prepare a revised pre-bail report, as the initial report failed to include the views of Gaala’s family.
“The accused persons will be remanded at Garissa GK Prison until 19th May 2025, when the case will come for a mention,” noted the ODPP.
The case has drawn national attention, highlighting systemic issues of child marriage and violence against women in marginalized communities.