Police have arrested one suspect linked to the gang-rape of a 15-year-old girl in Habaswein Sub County in Wajir.
Hebaswein OCPD Caleb Wesa who confirmed the arrest said the suspect was among three men who gang-raped the minor on February 18 and 19 this year.
Mr Wesa said the girl was first gang-raped by two men on February18 before the two suspects handed her over to another man the next day to commit the heinous act.
The OCPD said the suspects then fled leaving the Form One student in critical condition and she was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The girl was on Friday, February 23, airlifted to Nairobi for specialized treatment.
Mr Wesa said that the case was being handled by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations adding that the suspect who is in police custody will be arraigned in court as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, the OCPD warned the community against using the maslaha system to resolve such issues adding that perpetrators of such serious crimes should be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.
“I urge the community not to allow the maslaha system while dealing with issues involving rape and defilement. As the security department, we won’t allow such arrangements,” said Mr Wesa as quoted by the Daily Nation.
Communities in the region use the maslaha system to resolve various disputes, including cases of rape and defilement, where perpetrators only pay fines.