A Dadaab court in Garissa County ordered the exhumation of the body of orphan Safiya Hussein Bilal for a repeat autopsy as part of an ongoing investigation into her death.
Senior Principal Magistrate Evans Muleka directed the deceased’s relative, Hussein Bilal, to identify the grave to facilitate the exhumation and allow forensic examinations.
Muleka further ordered the Chief Government Pathologist to lead and supervise the exhumation and conduct a repeat autopsy, while experts from the Government Chemist will collect samples for analysis.
The Director of Criminal Investigations will assist with documentation, and Fafi subconty Public Health Officer will oversee safety during the procedure, the court ordered.
The court also directed that Hussein may attend or be represented by a pathologist of his choice, and Dr. Chweya Arthur, who conducted the initial post-mortem, will also be present.
The development comes weeks after the suspects in the case — Shafa Bilal Sharkane, Abubakar Abdullahi, Halima Muhumud Mogow, and Zeynab Salat Samatar — were ordered to remain in custody for 20 days while investigations continued.
Investigators had sought the detention period to complete evidence collection, including DNA sampling and witness statements, and to ensure the safety of both the suspects and the public, given the area’s proximity to the Somalia border.
The four suspects are linked to the gruesome murder of the refugee girl, a Grade nine learner at a Garissa school.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is also expected to formally charge them with murder once the forensic evidence from the exhumation is complete.
The exhumation is expected to provide crucial forensic evidence to support ongoing investigations and aid in the prosecution of those responsible for Safiya Hussein Bilal’s death.
The matter will be mentioned in court on December 10, 2025.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel

