By Collins Wanzallah & Frank Luambo
Police are actively searching for two women of Somali descent who are believed to have fled the court after skipping a scheduled hearing in their ongoing case. The women, Fahima (Quje) Yusuf Abdillahi and Rayan (Rayanbaji) Abubakar Ali, are facing serious charges of sexual assault and robbery with violence, offences allegedly committed against another woman of Somali origin, Maria Abdisalan Ali, who holds Norwegian citizenship.
The case, which centres on a violent robbery and sexual assault that took place on July 25, 2024, in the Kilimani area of Nairobi, has shocked the public. Kibera Court Magistrate Hon. Margret Wanjala issued an arrest warrant for Fahima Yusuf Abdillahi on Monday after she failed to attend the hearing. Abdillahi had been present during the initial mention of the case but disappeared after the court proceedings were adjourned.
The case also involves a third accused, Hibo Mohamud Abdullahi, who was not present in court. Authorities have revealed that Abdullahi has already fled the country and is believed to be in the United Kingdom, where she has been posting images and videos online, further complicating her legal situation.
The three women were arrested and charged on August 22, 2024, after allegedly robbing and sexually assaulting Maria Abdisalan Ali at Lennox Apartments in the Kilimani area. The list of stolen property is extensive and includes a variety of valuable items such as jewellery, electronics, cash, and personal belongings, totalling over USD 22,000. The charges also include indecent acts with an adult, a crime under the Sexual Offenses Act, which involves non-consensual sexual touching and assault.
All three women initially denied the charges and were released on a Ksh 10,000 cash bail. However, the charges were later amended to robbery with violence, which carries a more severe penalty, including the possibility of the death sentence upon conviction.
During the most recent court mention, the defence team attempted to present an application to the court, but it was unclear whether the application had been properly filed. Magistrate Wanjala instructed that the defence submit their paperwork correctly before the next mention scheduled for November 11, 2024.
The ongoing case has sparked a great deal of public interest, and authorities are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of the two, to come forward. The pursuit of justice for Maria Abdisalan Ali continues, as the case awaits its next court date.
