ChilliMango

Mzee Abdi Gafaar has been arrested for allegedly marrying a 14-year-old girl, Anab Noor, from Mandera County. The couple has been married for approximately two years.According to reports, the minor is not attending formal school, has limited understanding of Kiswahili, and has been confined to the home where she receives private tuition. She is currently pregnant and has reportedly developed a mouth infection linked to sexual activity.Mzee Abdi maintains that the marriage is lawful. He states that the girl’s parents consented, and the union was formalized through a traditional Somali ceremony, supported by a handwritten marriage certificate issued by local authorities in Mandera. He argues that both Islamic teachings and Somali cultural traditions permit the marriage of girls once they reach puberty, citing ages as young as 9, 10, 11, or 12 as acceptable. He recounted witnessing a 9-year-old girl being married off, who later gave birth at age 11.Although Mzee Abdi’s national ID indicates he is 46 years old, acquaintances claim he is over 50. Records show he married the girl when she was 12 years old.He was arrested on Wednesday night and is currently being held at Kasarani Police Station, where he is expected to face formal charges in court shortly.