Four Somali women, including a 28-year-old aunt, are facing murder charges in the death of a 14-year-old Kenyan girl in Nairobi's Eastleigh Estate. The suspects allegedly lied to investigators, claiming the victim was an orphan.
Investigations revealed the girl's mother was alive but suffering from mental illness, prompting authorities to trace other family members. A police autopsy conducted on Tuesday showed the girl died from blunt-force trauma, with injuries to her head and body.
The victim's mother and grandmother arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday after her burial the previous day under Muslim rites. Her father, based in Ethiopia, is expected to join them soon. Police intercepted suspects attempting to bury the body at South C mosque early Sunday, halting the proceedings.
Detected with a decomposing body that had been cleaned for burial, police transported the remains to the City Mortuary for examination. The aunt was arrested the same day and charged following a preliminary inquiry into the girl's disappearance.
Deputy Directorate of Criminal Investigation officer James Koech confirmed the suspects face murder charges, citing public reports of the girl's mysterious death. Human rights activist Florence Kanyua noted bloodstains on the victim's clothing, corroborating the forensic findings.
The aunt was detained for 14 days at Pangani police station, with prosecutors seeking extended custody. Additional suspects were arrested on Monday and arraigned on Tuesday, with the court granting 11 days of police detention for all accused.
