Written by Alice Njoki
Gaala Aden Abdi, a 17-year-old girl from the Dadaab refugee camp in Wajir, Kenya, was tragically murdered after being forced into marriage with 55-year-old Mohamed Kassim Tifow.
Her body was found burned on a mattress, with severe injuries showing she was beaten and stabbed before being set on fire.
Gaala was taken 150 kilometers away from her home to a secluded village in Habaswein. She resisted the union, a decision that led to relentless abuse from Mohamed Kassim and his relatives. In a desperate voice recording sent to her mother, Gaala recounted the abuse she suffered, saying, “I am being beaten every night 24 hours I am being beaten. This is not a man. I was betrayed to marry this herder. Why is my face swollen?” On the night of her death, she made a final call to her mother and stepfather, her voice trembling as she spoke of the imminent danger she faced. “They have started knifing me, and my phone is being taken away,” she said. Hours later, a relative called the family with devastating news Gaala had been killed.
This is a terrible reminder of how bad forced marriage is. Gaala was just a child who should have been in school, learning and growing. Instead, she faced unimaginable violence and death. It’s inhumane to harm such a small, innocent child. The fact that Mohamed Kassim, a man more than three times her age, was involved in this abuse is shocking. Moreover, the involvement of his family members in this tragedy is equally disturbing. This case highlights the urgent need to stop these harmful practices. Gaala’s story is not isolated , there are many other girls suffering in silence. It’s time for change to protect these innocent lives.
Forced marriage is a problem in Kenya, especially in rural areas. Poverty and cultural norms drive these practices. Girls are often seen as economic burdens, and marriage is viewed as a financial solution.
Globally, millions live in forced marriages. In Kenya, laws against child marriage exist, but enforcement is weak.