DPP strengthens case in murder trial of 17-year-old Wajir refugee

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has intensified its pursuit of justice for a 17-year-old refugee by presenting three key witnesses before the Garissa High Court in the ongoing murder trial against three accused persons.

The three, Mohammed Kassim Tiffow, Mussa Sheikh Ahmed, and Adan Mohammed Ahmed, are charged with the murder of the minor Gaala Adan, which occurred on March 22, 2025 at Lolkuta South Sub-location, Wara Location, Hadado Sub-County, Wajir County.

Appearing before Justice John Onyiego, the prosecution, led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Bonny Okemwa and Principal Prosecution Counsel Benard Owuor, called Dr. Ibrahim Abdiwahid, Senior Sergeant Joel Koskei, and Chief Mohammed Sugow to testify.

Dr. Abdiwahid, who examined the deceased’s body, told the court that the remains were “100 percent burnt” with no visible injuries, concluding that death resulted from burns caused by an open flame.

His testimony reinforced the prosecution’s argument that the death was both deliberate and concealed.

Senior Sergeant Koskei, a crime scene investigator from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters, narrated how he documented the exhumation and postmortem of the deceased’s body within the Daadab Refugee Camp, capturing 52 photographs and video evidence.

He confirmed that the only visible injuries were consistent with severe burns.

Chief Sugow recounted receiving a late-night call about a house fire and arriving at the scene to find the deceased’s body outside the house.

He also noted that one of the accused, the deceased’s husband, had sustained stab wounds.

The accused persons, who earlier pleaded not guilty, remain out on a bond of Sh1 million each.

The case will proceed on December 11, 2025 for further hearing.