GARISSA: The fate of two learning institutions in the county now hangs in the balance after students failed to report for the second term.
Garissa Teachers Training College and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) may join Garissa University College, which has been closed following a terror attack that saw 148 people killed last month.
This will be a big blow to the county, which was using education to open up the region said to have been neglected by previous governments.
Most parts of Northern Kenya have been ranked low in academic progress.
Should the institutions be closed, businessmen and employees will be greatly affected. Most to be affected are the ones who operated outside the university serving the students and those who used to deliver supplies to the colleges, which include food stuff and stationery.
Sally Mwende, a casual worker at the university had expected to be given a permanent job in June, but she is not sure whether the job will still be available or not.
With the fate of the university unknown, Ms Mwende will have to start looking for another job to be able to pay her rent and feed her three children.
“Nobody is talking about our concerns as employees? I am so scared,” she said on phone from Garissa.
KMTC Director Olang’o Onudi said the Garissa campus has been closed until when security is guaranteed. Students, he added, have been moved to other campuses.
“We can’t risk the lives of our students. We will decide if we will be opening any time soon,” he said.
Florence Nduati, a nursing student who has since been admitted to Muranga MTC College promises to never set foot again in Garissa.
“I am glad I was admitted here (Murang’a). I will never go back to Garissa again. I will not risk my life,” she said.
The future of the teachers college is also unknown since students have not reported back. Tutors who spoke to The Standard said only students from the locality had reported.
“We are facing an uncertain future. No student from outside has arrived so far, and reports from their colleagues suggest that they will not be coming,” said a tutor who sought anonymity.
Students who spoke to The Standard asked the Government to consider transferring them to other colleges in the country like their fellow KMTC, and Garissa University College students who have been transferred to Moi University in Eldoret.