A 26-year-old community health worker appeared in Garissa High Court on Tuesday to face murder charges in connection with the death of his 17-year-old niece.

Shafa Bilal Shaklane stood before Justice John Onyiego to respond to a murder charge under Section 203 read together with Section 204 of the Penal Code.

Principal Prosecution Counsel Bernard Owuor informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had brought murder charges against the defendant for the killing of Safiya Hussein Bilal.

According to court proceedings, the alleged crime took place around midnight on November 16, 2025, in the Borehole 5 area of Fafi Sub-County, Garissa County.

The prosecution rejected a defense motion to postpone the plea entry, which referenced a psychiatric evaluation showing that Shaklane has “a mild form of mental psychopathology due to psychoactive substance abuse, khat.”

Defense counsel requested that the court delay the plea and arrange for an additional psychiatric assessment.

Mr. Owuor challenged this request, arguing that the evaluation had determined the defendant was competent to face trial since he comprehended the charges against him.

“The condition does not interfere with his mental status and does not affect his capacity to stand trial,” the prosecutor said.

“The purpose of conducting such an assessment is to determine the fitness or otherwise of the accused to stand trial,” he added.

The defendant’s mental competence was further evident when the judge asked about his occupation and family situation, and whether he grasped the reason for his court appearance.

“I am a community health worker and a father of two, including a minor who is yet to start schooling,” he responded to the judge.

When the charge was formally presented, he entered a not guilty plea.

The prosecution indicated it plans to present nine witnesses, including a protected 13-year-old boy, as evidence in the case.

Justice Onyiego ordered that the child witness appear before him later that day to provide testimony, following local court users committee guidelines that prioritize evidence from child witnesses.

Authorities allege the victim was sexually assaulted before being killed by strangulation, and that the defendant then attempted unsuccessfully to arrange a clandestine burial.

Three individuals initially detained in relation to the killing have been converted to prosecution witnesses.

The defendant reportedly deceived them by claiming the victim had succumbed to dengue fever, and requested their assistance in preparing the body for an Islamic burial ceremony.