You've no reason to worry! Garissa university VC assures freshers

You have no reason to worry or be scared as your security is well taken care off in this institution.

This is the message Garissa University Vice Chancellor Prof Ahmed Warfa gave freshmen during their orientation of the new students at the institution.

Prof Warfa who was the VC at the time of the 2015 terror attack told the new students that the institution has managed to rise from the scars of the attack and is now an oasis of tranquility, resurgence and aspirations.

On 2 April 2015, gunmen stormed the Garissa University College killing 148 people and injuring at least 79. 

However, a lot has changed at the institution in terms of security preparedness, nine years after the horrific attack.

Among them is enhanced security which involves thorough screening at the entrance with students required to produce their identity cards when entering the compound.

A gazetted  police post has also been set up inside the college.

Other measures include the erection of a perimeter wall around the university.

The VC, who has on several occasions said that he doesn’t like talking about the events of the fateful day, was quick to reassure the new students that everything was okay.

"As the VC and on behalf of the institution, I want to assure the students and the and parents of adequate security. We will try to ensure that your four-year study in this great institution is as enjoyable as possible,” he said.

He said amenities such as accommodation and water are also well catered for and what remains is for the students to put all their effort in their studies.

On the new controversial funding model that has been criticised by some including students and parents, the VC was quick to defend it saying it is the best since it will ease the burden on parents especially those with limited resources.

In an interview at the institution, Agnes Nafula from Bungoma county who's been admitted to study a bachelor in Education degree, said that at first she was reluctant to join the institution but was persuaded by relatives and friends that things have changed for the better.

“We all know what happened in this college and anyone who gets a calling letter to join will obviously be reluctant. It's even more difficult for someone like me who has never been to this part of the country. The perception I had only served to make me develop cold feet,” she said.

"However, I spoke to a few friends and former high school mates who are already studying here and are in their second, third and forth years and they reassured me that the security has greatly improved. That's how I found myself here,” she added.

For James Kimani from Laikipia county, he said that he has no security worries saying that the feeling he gets is that extra security measures have been put in place to seal all the loopholes that existed or which can be used by criminals.

The university has admitted 900 new students for various courses pushing the number of total students to at least 5,200.

The University that is the only one in the region was given a charter by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017.

Speaking during the institution's fifth graduation ceremony in June, President William Ruto said the university had triumphed against daunting challenges and succeeded in the face of risks and threats promising governments continual support.

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