Garissa Medical Training College closed over security concerns

Garissa, Kenya - The only institution offering medical training in North Eastern Kenya has been shut down.

 

The Garissa campus of the Kenya Medical Training College ( KMTC) has been closed for what was termed as security concerns.

The closure comes weeks after the indefinite closure of Garissa University College in the same town following a terrorist attack that killed 148 people.

More than 300 students who were pursuing various diploma and certificate courses at the medical institution have been ordered to leave. The college’s administration had given students two days to fill up transfer forms and travel to other KMTC campuses around the country.

Closing the institution, the principal Garissa Medical Training College Omar Osman said they reached the decision to close the institution offering nursing courses to students after the local County Commissioner said the government has no security personnels to deploy to the medical training college.

"Following the terror incident that has occurred at Garissa University College on early this morning, the institution has formerly requested the local county commissioner to provide armed security to ensure our children are safe from marauding terror gangs, however, we were told the government has no such arrangements," he said.

He added, "As managers of the institution we can't hold our children at ransom considering the massacre which has happened at another college within Garissa town. This has led us to contact our bosses in Nairobi and reach the decision to close the college indefinitely."

He said the affected students, will be redeployed to other medical colleges in the country namely Kipenguria, Kabarnet, Thika, Muranga and Kitua to continue with studies, he however said the students will face a lot of challenges since apart from Kepenguria, other colleges were not offering the enrolled community nursing (ECN), which has been offered at the local college.

"It is unfortunate that a second college that has been serving an entire marginalised region has to be closed simply because the government can't provide security to its children. How will the move be perceived by our enemies," he said while biding the students in an emotional farewell.

Osman said the students' morale has been greatly beaten as they were uncomfortable to relocate from Garissa to new colleges, where they have adapted to the local environment, academic and the non- academic staffs.

"There were some students who were coming from as far as Moyale and Mandera counties and here again they are suppose to move to a new environment and far-flung areas such as Kipenguria or Kabrnet. What will be in the minds of these students", he said.

Despite the closure of the college, the principal noted the academic and non-academic staffs will remain in the institution as they wait for a new directive either requiring them as well to be transferred or otherwise.

Nurdin Maalim Mohamed, a second year student from Takaba who is now required to trek to Kipenguria described the incident as admission by the government that they have surrendered to the intimidation of the Somali based terrorist group.

"It is now clear to us that, our country can no longer protect as within our region. And we wonder whether closing of public and private institutions in the region can address the serious threats posed by al-Shabaab. Personally I'm not sure if I can go to Kipenguria. I think of dropping out," he said as tears rolled down his cheeks.