A Dadaab court in Garissa County has granted police 20 days to investigate four suspects linked to the killing of 17 year old orphaned girl, whose body was discovered on November 16, 2025.
The suspects — Shafa Bilal Sharkane, Abubakar Abdullahi, Halima Muhumud Mogow, and Zeynab Salat Samatar have been linked to gruesome murder of Safiya Hussein Bilal.
The four were arraigned before Senior Principal Magistrate Evans Muleka, where police requested more time to investigate them for the murder.
The investigators intend to charge the first suspect with murder and the other three with being accessories after the fact.
The investigating officer, Jefferson Mwiti told Muleka that the suspects were arrested in connection with the murder and accessory after the fact to murder.
Mwiti detailed that the first respondent allegedly defiled and strangled the minor while she slept, the second respondent attempted to cover up the crime, and the third and fourth respondents allegedly washed the child’s body to conceal evidence.
He said further investigation was needed, including recording statements from remaining witnesses, conducting mental assessments on the suspects, and ensuring their safety and that of the public, as the suspects were considered flight risks due to the proximity of Fafi Sub-County to the Somalia border.
Prosecution Counsel Simon Eyanae urged the court to grant the application to allow investigators to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
He added that the matter is of great public interest hence the need for an urgent justice for the victim and her family.
Eyanae also said the investigating officer seeks DNA samples from the first respondent to compare with evidence collected from the victim, and that police required 20 days to complete all investigative procedures before plea taking.
Muleka granted the application and directed that the suspects be held at Hagadera Police Station for the 20-day period to allow completion of investigations.
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