A Dadaab court has ordered the exhumation of 15-year-old orphan Safiya Hussein Bilal, marking a major turning point in the investigation into her killing in Garissa County.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 9, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said the directive aims to pave the way for a repeat autopsy that authorities say is necessary to uncover crucial forensic details that were not established in the initial examination.
"A Dadaab court in Garissa County has ordered the exhumation of the body of orphan Safiya Hussein Bilal for a repeat autopsy as part of an ongoing investigation into her death," the statement read.
According to the ruling, the court has tasked one of the deceased’s relatives with facilitating the exhumation process.
"Senior Principal Magistrate Evans Muleka directed the deceased's relative, Hussein Bilal, to identify the grave to facilitate the exhumation and allow forensic examinations," the statement added.
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According to the ODPP, the court further directed that the Chief Government Pathologist should take charge of the operation.
"Hon. Muleka further ordered the Chief Government Pathologist to lead and supervise the exhumation and conduct a repeat autopsy, while experts from the Government Chemist will collect samples for analysis," the statement further read.
The court also ordered that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations assist with documentation, while the Fafi Subcounty Public Health Officer ensures safety throughout the process.
In addition, the ODPP confirmed that the deceased’s relative is allowed to have an independent pathologist present.
"The court also directed that Hussein may attend or be represented by a pathologist of his choice, and Dr. Chweya Arthur, who conducted the initial post-mortem, will also be present," the statement noted.
Notably, the orders come just weeks after four suspects linked to the murder were detained for 20 days to allow investigators adequate time to gather evidence.
"Investigators had sought the detention period to complete evidence collection, including DNA sampling and witness statements, and to ensure the safety of both the suspects and the public, given the area’s proximity to the Somalia border," the ODPP recalled.
The suspects, Shafa Bilal Sharkane, Abubakar Abdullahi, Halima Muhumud Mogow, and Zeynab Salat Samatar, are accused of involvement in the killing of Safiya, a refugee and Grade 9 learner at a school in Garissa.
The DPP is expected to formally charge the four with murder once the forensic findings from the upcoming exhumation and repeat autopsy are complete.
The matter is scheduled to be mentioned again in court on Wednesday, December 10.
Elsewhere, new CCTV footage from Pipeline Estate has revealed what are believed to be the final moments of 12-year-old Patience Mumbe before her tragic death.
Multiple cameras installed in shops around the neighbourhood have provided detectives with crucial clues as investigations intensify.
According to the footage, Mumbe was first seen on Thursday, December 4, at around 6:30 pm running from her home.
A camera at a local shop captured her moving quickly before disappearing down a path about 200 metres away.
She then emerged on another road leading towards the Taj Mall bus stage, where a second CCTV camera recorded her walking briskly.
At one point, she looked back, seemingly checking whether she was being followed, before rushing towards the bus stop.
This marked the last time she was seen alive in Pipeline.
Two days later, her body was discovered in a ditch in KAA Estate, approximately five kilometres from where she was last captured on camera and about one kilometre from the Embakasi Police Station.
