"According to our religion and traditions, a 9 year old girl is ripe for marriage" - Man says after being arrested for marrying underage girl
A Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service, Geoffrey Mosiria, has rescued a minor forced to marry an elderly man who claimed to be 46. Mosiria led a late-night rescue the 14-year-old after distress reports in Kasarani area of Nairobi. The girl was found living with the man identified as Abdigafar Ahmed Yusuf, with investigation revealing disputed documents and altered identity records. According to information, the man married her when she was 12 years old in 2024. The suspect is in custody as police widen probe into alleged forced marriage and family involvement. Mosiria's team had earlier received distress calls from neighbours and a security guard reporting that the child had been crying continuously at night. Mosiria said the reports prompted an immediate raid on the premises, where the minor was found living with Yusuf. The Mandera-based girl is reportedly Ethiopian and, according to officials, has no relatives in Kenya apart from an uncle who is alleged to have sold her. Her mother is also reportedly based in Ethiopia. In a video shared after the rescue, Mosiria confronted the suspect, who attempted to justify the arrangement by citing religion and tradition. According to our religion and Somali traditions, a girl is married after reaching an age ripe for marriage, even as early as 9 years, the man said, adding that he believed the child was already mature enough for marriage. Investigations at the scene also revealed documents indicating that the girls birth certificate had allegedly been altered to reflect the suspect as her father. Authorities further noted that the child is suspected to be pregnant, though this is yet to be confirmed. She is unable to communicate in English or Kiswahili and only speaks Somali, forcing Mosiria's team to rely on a translator during interviews. The girl told officials that the arrangement had been made by her mother, who is reportedly a friend of the suspect. The man also presented a handwritten document he claimed served as a marriage certificate. Mosiria confirmed that the suspect is currently being held at Kasarani Police Station while the child has been placed at a rescue centre where she is receiving care and protection. I strongly warn against the practice of forcing underage girls into marriage, which denies them their right to education, safety, and a dignified childhood. Children are not objects of exploitation and must be protected at all costs, Mosiria said. "Any individual involved in marrying or cohabiting with an underage child must immediately desist and ensure the child is returned to a safe environment. Failure to do so will result in firm legal action in accordance with the law, he added. He further indicated that the childs mother is expected to be arrested pending ongoing investigations. Mosiria raised concern over claims used to justify underage marriage in some communities, warning against misinterpretation of religious teachings to support exploitation of minors. The girl was also found to be showing signs of a possible oral infection, and she is currently receiving medical attention alongside psychosocial support. Mosiria pledged full justice for the girl, saying he will follow the case through to its conclusion.
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"According to our religion and traditions, a 9 year old girl is ripe for marriage" - Man says after being arrested for marrying underage girl appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
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