A magistrate court in Wajir has granted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) permission to exhume the body of 17-year-old Gaala Aden Abdi, who was tragically burnt to death after refusing to marry a 55-year-old man. Gaala, who had been forcibly married to the older man, was buried on March 22 at the Dagahaley Refugee Camp in Dadaab, Wajir County. The exhumation aims to conduct a repeat postmortem examination to determine the precise cause of her death and to extract samples for toxicology and DNA analysis.
The DCI’s investigation into Gaala’s death began after the young girl’s murder sparked outrage across the country. According to reports, Gaala had been taken from the Dagahaley Refugee Camp, situated about 150 kilometers from the village of Wara, Ademasajida in Habaswein, to meet her forced spouse. It is alleged that, despite intense coercion from her new husband’s relatives, she refused to accept the marriage, leading to her tragic end.
A postmortem examination revealed that Gaala had suffered 100% burns, indicating the use of an open flame in her execution. Prior to her death, Gaala reportedly made a phone call, alerting her family to her imminent death and naming those responsible for the horrifying act. Her final moments, as described in the call, have been key to the ongoing investigation.
The court order also ensures that security will be provided during the exhumation process, with the Dagahaley Police Station tasked with overseeing the operation. The SCCIO of Wajir West will supervise the exhumation, which is expected to provide crucial evidence that will aid in the prosecution of those responsible for Gaala’s death.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of forced marriages and gender-based violence in some parts of Kenya, underscoring the urgent need for legal reforms and societal changes to protect young women from such atrocities.
