Garissa University victims yet to get Sh15m compensation a year after attack

Kisii University students lie on the ground in honour of Garissa University counterparts who were killed last year after terrorists attacked their institution. [Photo: Denish Ochieng/Standard]

Some parents of students who were killed in the Garissa University terror attack are still yet to be compensated.

A year after the attack, the parents took the platform of the Garissa massacre commemoration in Nairobi over the weekend to express their displeasure.

They pointed an accusing finger at Garissa Township MP Aden Duale, who is said to have assured them of Sh15 million set aside by the Government for their compensation.

"Nothing has been heard from the Government since the attack. The President just said he will 'walk and stand' with us but no action has been seen," said the parents' Secretary General George Ojoro.

Mr Ojoro said it was clear the Government had forgotten them as they were not even mentioned during President Uhuru Kenyatta's State of the Nation address yet it coincided with the memorial.

"Mr Duale told us Uhuru's Government had pledged Sh15 million for us but even to attend a simple memorial we have to dig into our own pockets," he said. The parents claimed other countries had sent millions of shillings but some State officials were adamant to release it.

"We know China gave out Sh11 million, which meant every parent should get about Sh70,000. But what we hear is that many have not received and those who did just got Sh40,000," said Felix Barasa, a parent.

Other countries said to have offered assistance are France, Italy, and Germany.

"But Kenya is nowhere with all the empty promises," he said.

Germany is said to have offered 300 scholarships to Moi University, France 56 and China gave monetary assistance of Sh11 million for the parents.

"We understand the anguish and pain the parents may have. It is their right to demand what they feel is rightfully theirs and express their outrage to the State," said National Counter-Terrorism boss Ambassador Martin Kimani.

Mr Kimani however said such platforms should be used to heal the nation of the pain of losing its most vibrant youth and chart the way forward.

In the April 2015 massacre, gunmen stormed Garissa University and killed 147 students, two guards and eight policemen.

"The lives of our children cannot be compensated but we just ask the Government to show it cares. They should tell us if the money is there or not," said Ojoro.