Man jailed 20 years for defiling, killing niece in Garissa

The Garissa High Court sentenced a man to 20 years in prison after finding him guilty of defiling and murdering his 17-year-old niece.

Shafa Bilal Shaklane was convicted of defiling and killing Safiya Hussein Bilal, his 17-year-old niece in November 2025.

The court heard that Shaklane committed the offence on November 16, 2025, in Fafi sub-county, Garissa County.

The deceased’s sister testified that on the fateful night, the accused approached the deceased, who was sleeping on a different mattress and made physical contact.

When the deceased resisted, Shaklane took a scarf and strangled her by pushing her against the wall.

Medical evidence produced in court confirmed that Safiya died of hypoxia.

Hypoxia is a condition where the body is deprived of an adequate oxygen supply, disrupting normal cellular function and metabolism.

Justice John Onyiego stated that the evidence produced in court by the prosecution proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was handled by the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Linda Nyaucho.