Garissa University Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahmed Warfa reassured new students about their safety during their orientation. He emphasized that their security is well-managed at the institution.
Prof. Warfa, who was VC during the 2015 terror attack, told the freshmen that the university has moved past the trauma of that day and is now a place of peace, renewal, and ambition.
On April 2, 2015, gunmen attacked Garissa University College, killing 148 people and injuring at least 79. Since then, significant improvements in security have been made at the institution. These include rigorous screening at the entrance, where students must show their identity cards, and the establishment of a police post within the college grounds. Additionally, a perimeter wall has been erected around the university.
The VC, who prefers not to dwell on the tragic events, assured the new students that everything is in order. “As the VC and on behalf of the institution, I want to assure the students and their parents of adequate security. We will strive to make your four-year stay in this great institution as enjoyable as possible,” he said.
Prof. Warfa also addressed concerns about the new funding model, defending it as beneficial because it will alleviate financial pressure on parents, especially those with limited resources.
In an interview, Agnes Nafula from Bungoma County, who has been admitted to study for a Bachelor’s in Education, shared her initial reluctance to join the university. “We all know what happened in this college, and receiving an admission letter made me hesitant. It’s especially daunting for someone like me who has never been to this part of the country. My concerns were intensified by what I had heard about the past events,” she said.
“However, I spoke to a few friends and former high school classmates who are already studying here and are in their second, third, and fourth years. They reassured me that the security has greatly improved. That’s how I found myself here,” she added.
James Kimani from Laikipia County also expressed confidence in the university’s security. He noted that it feels like extra measures have been implemented to close any gaps that could be exploited by criminals.
The university has admitted 900 new students across various courses, bringing the total student population to approximately 5,200. As the only university in the region, it was granted a charter by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017.
During the institution’s fifth graduation ceremony in June, President William Ruto acknowledged the university’s resilience in overcoming significant challenges and threats, and promised continued support from the government.
