This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
On July 17, 2019, a dramatic rescue operation was carried out by police officers in Narok County, Kenya.
A 9-year-old girl, who had been married off to a 40-year-old man, was rescued from a house belonging to the suspect, John Nchoe.
The suspect was arrested following a tip-off from Narok-based children's rights activist Joshua Ole Kaputa.
According to police, the marriage ceremony between the man and the minor took place a week earlier at Olooltoto village, Narok North sub-County.
During questioning at Narok Police Station, the suspect expressed surprise at being apprehended, claiming that the girl's parents had allowed him to marry her after paying dowry.
However, the girl told police that she had opposed her parents' plan to marry her off, citing her desire to pursue her education.
Children's rights activist Ole Kaputa revealed that he had previously warned Nchoe against marrying the girl.
Narok County Police Commander Adam Yunis stated that the suspect would be arraigned in court as investigations into the incident continued.
