Written by Andrew Kariuki
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has presented six witnesses to testify before the Garissa High Court in a murder case where three men, including a husband, are accused of killing 17 year-old refugee girl, Gaala Adan.
Those who took the stand included the deceased’s mother Amina Abdi Noor, her stepfather Mahamud Mohamed, landlady Qurisha Ibrahim, two neighbours and the investigating officer Corporal Lucas Musambi.
Ms. Noor told the court that her daughter, born on January 1, 2008, was married to the first accused, Mohammed Kassim Tiffow, on February 22, 2025, at Dagahaley Refugee Camp under Somali rites.
She said the marriage turned violent soon after when her daughter expressed regret over the union and resisted it.
The court heard that in the days leading to her death, Gaala had sent her mother several voice notes expressing fear and distress. Their final communication took place on the night she died.
A neighbour testified that on the night of the incident, one of the accused informed him that Tiffow had been stabbed by his wife. On rushing to the scene, they found Tiffow outside the house with stab wounds and took him to hospital.
Upon returning, they found the house where the deceased had been locked inside engulfed in flames. Despite their efforts to save her, Gaala sustained severe burns and died shortly after.
Mr. Mohamed, the deceased’s stepfather, said he had been informed earlier of constant abuse in the marriage. He told the court that Gaala’s body was so badly burnt he could not recognise her when it was brought home.
Investigating officer Corporal Musambi testified that police recovered a knife at the scene, photographed the area and collected key evidence.
He also witnessed the postmortem conducted on March 22, 2025, before the body was released for burial. He confirmed that all witness statements were recorded and following investigations by the DCI, the three suspects were arrested and first arraigned at the Wajir Magistrate’s Court before the matter was transferred to the Garissa High Court.
The accused, Mohammed Kassim Tiffow, Mussa Sheikh Ahmed and Adan Mohamme Ahmed are charged with murdering Gaala Adan on March 22, 2025, at Lolkuta South Sub-location, Wara Location, Hadado Sub-County, Wajir County.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Bonny Okemwa and Principal Prosecution Counsel Benard Owuor.
All three accused pleaded not guilty before Justice John Onyiego and were each released on a bond of KSh 100,000.
The matter will be next mentioned on November 4, 2025
