Thursday October 24, 2024
Hundreds of protesters gather in Eastleigh, Nairobi, demanding justice for the brutal murders of three Somali women. Businesses were shut down as the community expressed outrage over the lack of arrests in the case. CREDIT: MP Yusuf Hassan/X (Twitter)
NAIROBI, Kenya (HOL) — Police investigating the brutal murders of three Somali women in Eastleigh have recovered a vehicle believed to have been used in the abduction, offering a major breakthrough as the community prepares to bury the victims. The discovery comes amid mounting pressure on authorities to bring the killers to justice, with protests continuing across the neighbourhood.
On Thursday, detectives found the vehicle at Ukulima Market in Kamukunji, Nairobi. It is suspected to have been involved in the abduction of Waris Daud, her daughter Amina Abdirashid, and her niece Nuseiba Dahir, whose bodies were found dumped in different locations earlier this week. The vehicle’s recovery has provided a key breakthrough in the investigation, with detectives now analyzing its connection to the crime.
The news of the discovery coincides with preparations for the women’s funeral, set to take place on Friday at Lang’ata Cemetery in accordance with Islamic customs. The Somali community remains in shock, but there is a growing sense of urgency as investigators piece together the final moments of the victims’ lives.
The vehicle’s recovery has accelerated an investigation that has paralyzed the Somali community. Forensic teams are combing the car for clues, while detectives review CCTV footage from various locations and analyze mobile phone data linked to the victims. Authorities are also following up on a lead involving a Somali woman who claims she was abducted alongside the victims but was released after her family paid a ransom.
The woman, whose family transferred Ksh 1 million into an Ethiopian bank account, has provided crucial details about the abduction. Police are investigating whether she was involved in the plot or a victim. Her testimony, combined with the recovered vehicle and phone records, is now central to the investigation.
“We are making significant progress, but we are aware of the community’s demands for quick action,” said a police spokesperson. “The vehicle we recovered is a major piece of evidence, and we are working around the clock to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”
Detectives are also investigating whether Daud’s husband, who lives in the United Kingdom with a second wife, may have knowledge about the murders. The second wife, who recently visited Kenya, is being questioned as part of the probe.
As police sift through the mounting evidence, frustration in Eastleigh has reached a boiling point. Hundreds of residents, many of them traders who have shuttered their businesses, have taken to the streets, demanding justice for the slain women. Police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds, toads were blocked, and the usual hum of commerce was replaced by chants and raised fists, as the community united in anguish and fury.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan are at the forefront of the protests, calling for swift action. Their message to authorities has been clear: the killings cannot go unanswered. “This is not just a tragedy for the families. It is a tragedy for all of us,” said MP Hassan, addressing the crowd. “These heinous crimes must be met with the full force of justice, and it must happen now.”
The atmosphere in Eastleigh, once buzzing with life, is now heavy with grief and tension. Fear has crept into everyday life. Shops are closing earlier, and the streets are noticeably quieter after dark. “We are living in fear,” confessed a shopkeeper, speaking in hushed tones. “No one knows who might be next. We need the police to act, and fast.”
While the protests continue, preparations for the funerals of Waris Daud, Amina Abdirashid, and Nuseiba Dahir are quietly being made. The women will be laid to rest on Friday in a ceremony expected to draw hundreds of mourners.
Somali leaders have called for calm as the funerals approach, asking the community to honour the victims while remaining steadfast in their demand for accountability. “This is a time to remember and mourn our sisters,” said Ahmed Abdullahi, chairman of the Eastleigh Business District Association, speaking softly but with conviction. “But we must also ensure their deaths are not in vain. We will continue to push for justice until it is served.”