Garissa University history an inspiring account of resilience - Ruto

President William Ruto has described the history of Garissa University as an inspiring account of progress amid difficulty.

Speaking during the institution's fifth graduation ceremony, Ruto said the university had triumphed against daunting challenges and succeded in the face of risks and threats.

In 2015, terrorists staged an attack on the institution killing 148 people most of them students.

However, a lot has changed at the institution years after the attack.

Among them is enhanced security which involves thorough screening at the entrance. A police camp has also been set up inside the college.

Ruto said that despite the immense setbacks, the university has remained committed to its vision of providing quality higher education, training, research, development, and innovation in the region.

He said that the northern rangelands have been historically neglected in the provision of public goods and services.

Ruto was touring Garissa for the first time since he became President.

He said the principled determination demonstrated by the institution embodies the indomitable Kenyan spirit of focusing on aspirations with fortitude, overcoming challenges with grace and responding to misfortune with excellence.

“Today, we celebrate determination, resilience and triumph. We are here to remember and remind one another that the sacrifices made to stay the course have not been in vain," the President said.

"We collectively invoke the Garissa University community’s defining ethos, inspiring each one of us to always strive for excellence even in the face of overwhelming adversity,” he said.

Ruto led those in attendance for a minute of silent in honour of those who died in the attack.

He said that the resilience of the university exemplifies the resilience of the region and the nation as a whole.

“It is not by mere coincidence that this institution has become a centre of excellence for security and peace studies,” he said.

He said the government is dedicated to building resilient agricultural enterprises in the Arid and Semi-Arid areas.

This, he said, will promote nutrition security, develop export manufacturing and value-addition capacity as well as create employment opportunities.

He noted that unleashing the immense economic potential in these areas, particularly in the agriculture, livestock and energy sectors is critical to Kenya’s economic transformation.

He urged the academic community of the university to engage in public-private partnerships to optimise synergies and drive impactful changes.

He said the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda aims to impact every Kenyan household through the effective and efficient provision of social services.

This includes Universal Health Coverage and strategic investments to create inclusive opportunities in agriculture, MSMEs, the digital economy and affordable housing programmes.

Ruto was accompanied by Defense CS Aden Duale and Education CS Ezekiel Machogu.

Alos present include Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, MPs Dekow Mohamed (Garissa Township), Abdikadir Hussein (Lagdera), Salah Yakub (Fafi), Abdi Ali (Ijara) and Mohamed Adow (Wajir South).