The High Court in Garissa County has sentenced Shafa Bilal Shaklane to 20 years in prison after he was found guilty of defiling and killing his 17-year-old niece, Safiya Hussein Bilal. The court determined that the accused committed the offences on November 16, 2025, in Fafi sub-county, bringing a tragic end to the life of the teenager.
During the trial, the prosecution outlined how the incident unfolded on the night of the attack. A key witness, the victim’s sister, told the court that the accused approached the teenager while she was asleep on a separate mattress. According to the testimony, the situation escalated when the victim resisted, leading to a violent confrontation that ultimately resulted in her death. Medical findings presented in court showed that the cause of death was linked to oxygen deprivation, a condition medically referred to as Hypoxia, which disrupts normal body function.
Presiding over the case, John Onyiego ruled that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The judge emphasized that the evidence clearly pointed to the accused’s involvement in both the defilement and the killing.
The case was led by Linda Nyaucho, who successfully guided the prosecution to secure a conviction. The ruling marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for victims of gender-based violence and underscores the judiciary’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable. Authorities continue to urge communities to remain vigilant and report cases of abuse to help protect vulnerable individuals.
