Garissa University conducted its fourth graduation on Thursday, eight years after armed terrorists invaded the institution causing one of the worst terror attacks in the country, where 147 students were murdered.
The ceremony was presided by Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu and his Defense counterpart Aden Duale.
”The militants were hell-bent on making sure that this institution does not rise again, but through our resilience, we are here today celebrating the graduation ceremony of 482 students among them a PhD graduate,” said Duale.
Machogu said the government will continue supporting the university and urged the community to guard it jealously and enroll their children to the institution as well.
“Having a university in your county is a major achievement. People of Garissa and Northeastern region in general, please protect this university by all standards. Because in the unfortunate event you lose it getting it back will not be easy,” he said.
Local leaders raised concerns over the mass exodus of teachers from the region citing insecurity.
“Transferring teachers to other parts of the country will leave our children suffering, and that should not be the case. Stakeholders must come together to stop this,” Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane said.
Other leaders present were National Assembly Education Committee Chair Julius Melly, MPs Dekow Mohamed (Garissa Township) Aden Daud (Wajir East), Salah Yakub (Fafi) Abdi Ali (Ijara) Dick Maungu (Luanda), Ali Haji (Elwak) and Garissa Woman Representative Udgoon Siyad.
On April 2, 2015 Al Shabaab terrorists stormed the only higher learning institution in North Eastern killing 147 students.
By Thuita Jaswant
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