Police
and activists on Monday stopped a wedding and whisked away the bride, saying
she was underage.
They
arrested three people, including the bridegroom and the girl’s father and aunt.
The girl, according to the police in Garissa, was a 14-year-old at a local
primary school while the would-be husband was a 22-year-old Kenyan who lives
abroad. He came back just for the wedding.
The
girl’s relatives said she was “ripe for marriage in accordance with Somali
traditions”. The colourful event characterised with traditional Somali music
was held near the Garissa Teachers College.
Womankind
Kenya child rights activist Hassan Ali Ismail said it had become common for men
from overseas to come “shopping” for schoolgirls, and giving their parents
money.
“They
use the girls and dump them, then return abroad without leaving any upkeep for
the girl or her children,” he said. Garissa sub-county children officer Simon
Chege said the girl had been taken to Garissa Children rescue centre.
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