Monday August 3, 2015
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama (3rd left) his deputy Abdullahi Hussein (left) and Queen of Hearts founder and renowned journalist Lolani Kalu (2nd left) join traditional dancers during celebrations to remember the Garissa University students killed in a terrorist attack on April 2, 2015. The leaders called on the government to reopen the university.
Non-governmental organisations and leaders from Garissa County have demanded for the reopening of the ill-fated Garissa University College that was attacked by Al-Shabaab militants four months ago.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama said by permanently closing the institution, the government was accepting defeat in the war against terror.
He was speaking during celebrations to mark four months since the attack on the university.
148 people, most of them students, were killed in cold blood on April 2, 2015 of after Al-Shabaab attacked the only university in the region.
“The government must treat the root cause of this entire problem which is corruption which is also contributing to insecurity in the region. If the government doesn’t reopen the university it clearly shows that terrorists have beaten us which is totally unacceptable,” said Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye.
He said that the government must reopen the university so as to send the message that Kenya remains strong despite the imminent threats noting that Al-Shabaab menace will soon be over.
The Garissa leaders at the same time faulted the Jubilee administration for what they said was ignoring the region during the hour of need claiming that the president and his deputy never visited the region despite numerous terrorist attacks that claimed many innocent lives.
“We have seen the president at Westgate to prove to Kenyans that terrorism will not deter our way of doing things. He should show the same to Garissa University College,” said the Lagdera MP.
Governor Jama on his part said his county administration has set aside Sh200 million to help the National Government fight the runaway insecurity in his county which he said has been grounded economically since the second terrorist attack.
“The responsibility of security is solely with the National Government and as the county administration we have shown our willingness to cooperate and help them where possible.
“We demand the reopening if the university and adequate security to all institutions and government installations,” he said.
The Garissa County chief said if the government will not officially reopen the university by January 2016, he will use the money allocated for security to reopen the only institution which was the pride of the entire northern region.
Northern Advocacy Initiative in conjunction with the Queen of Hearts joined Garissa residents during an emotional ceremony to remember the students who lost their lives during the early morning April terrorist attack.
The founder of Queen of Hearts and renowned journalist Lolani Kalu told the Nation that they had been at the university for the last four days to show solidarity with people of the northern region.
“We have spent the last four days in the university.
“In fact we have been sleeping in the same hostels where students were mercilessly killed by terrorists.
“We know terrorism is a global issue and the government should not close this institution for fear of Al-Shabaab. Instead they should boost security,” he said.
The commemoration was attended by Garissa Woman Representative Shukran Gure, Deputy Governor Abdullahi Hussein, the county assembly Speaker Mohamed Abey, and several members of the county assembly.