Police in Tana Delta have arrested a couple after learning that they had married off their underage daughter to a local primary school chairman.
The couple, Mohammed Dabas Omar and Rehema Salim are accused to marrying off the minor to the Chairman of Odole Primary School where the girl attended her primary education and scored 279 maks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations.
Tana River Deputy County Commissioner Charles Akwanalo confirmed the arrest saying the police have launched a manhunt on the man alleged to have married the minor.
“We are looking for the man in question who vanished upon learning of the mpending arrest. We will not relent until we arrest and bring him to book,”said Akwanalo.
The County Commissioner further questioned parents against marrying off their children saying those who will be found culpable will be arrested and prosecuted. He insisted that young children particularly girls should be protected against early marriages and all forms of sex abuse so that they can have equal apportunity to get education like their male counterparts.
” Nobody is above the law, this case will not favour anybody despite the rank they hold in the society,” said Akwanalo.
He regretted that the young girl who reports indicate was married on January 19, 2019 by the old man had already attracted well wishers who had expressed their desire to sponsor her through secondary school education.
The couple is currently being held at the Garsen Police Station as the police proceed with further investigations.