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Three Somali women laid to rest in Nairobi after brutal Eastleigh killings spark outcry


Saturday October 26, 2024


A large crowd gathers at Lang’ata Cemetery in Nairobi to pay their respects as three Somali women, victims of a brutal murder, are laid to rest. The somber occasion has highlighted the urgent call for justice and security reforms. CREDIT Ahmed Shafat

NAIROBI, Kenya (HOL) — Three Somali women abducted and murdered in a chilling attack that shocked Kenya were laid to rest on Saturday as hundreds of mourners gathered in Nairobi. The brutal killings of Waris Daud, her daughter Nuseyba Abdi Mohammed, and niece Amina Abdirashid have ignited demands for justice and heightened concerns over safety in the city’s Eastleigh neighbourhood.

An autopsy by Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor confirmed the extent of the brutality. Waris had her neck severed, and her hands were cut off, suggesting signs of torture. Her daughter Amina died from a stab wound that pierced her heart, while her niece, 13-year-old Nuseyba, was smothered to death and showed signs of sexual assault. The gruesome details have intensified public outrage and demands for swift justice.

The tragic series of events began on October 21, when Waris left home for a routine skin-care appointment but never returned. Concerned by her absence, her daughter Amina and niece Nuseyba went out that evening to search for her. CCTV footage captured the young women making a call near what appeared to be a taxi, their last known location before they vanished. The following day, their bodies were discovered scattered across Nairobi and Machakos County.

The police have since detained a suspect allegedly involved in ransom negotiations linked to the murders. The suspect, arrested while attempting to flee, is thought to have extorted Sh1 million from a fourth woman’s family, who managed to secure her release. This woman, who managed to escape, told investigators that she had been held with the three victims and overheard their captors plotting to kill them after realizing they could identify their abductors.

Police have also recovered a vehicle that was suspected to be involved in the kidnapping/

Saturday’s burial ceremony at Lang’ata Cemetery was marked by sorrow and anger, as family members, community leaders, and local officials gathered to mourn. Sheikh Mohamud Shibli, a respected Islamic scholar, led the prayers, joined by Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan and Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle. Waris’ husband stood in silence, visibly overwhelmed with grief.

Speaking at the funeral, MP Hassan demanded the government expedite the investigation and called for more robust security measures in Kamukunji, a constituency affected by gang violence. “Our community will not rest until we see justice served for these innocent lives,” he said. Ambassador Abdulle echoed these sentiments, thanking Kenyan authorities for their efforts and expressing hope that all perpetrators would be brought to justice.

The Eastleigh community remains on edge, and family members have urged unity and restraint, urging the public to avoid spreading unverified information. “Let us give the Directorate of Criminal Investigations the space to complete their work. This is a painful time for us, and we need support, not speculation,” a relative said.

The triple homicide has highlighted the urgency for improved public safety. Rights groups and community leaders are pressing for immediate action to curb gang activities and ensure the safety of residents, especially in neighbourhoods like Eastleigh, where such attacks have become alarmingly common.




 





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