Survivors of Garissa University attack relocated to main campus in Uasin Gishu

All the remaining 646 students who survived the Garissa University College attack by Al-Shabaab have been relocated to Moi University's main campus in Uasin Gishu County.

The students are expected to report to the main campus on May 20, 2015.

This follows the indefinite suspension of all programmes at the ill-fated Garissa campus, where 148 people died.

Following last week’s deadly terrorist attack that killed 142 students and six security staff at the college, plans are under way to relocate the surviving students to the main campus in Kesses.

The university has also announced that it is constructing a police post on the main campus so as to beef up security for its students.

Vice Chancellor Richard Mibey on Wednesday said arrangements for the students from Garissa to be accommodated on campus at Kesses are almost complete.

“As Moi University, we are making arrangements for all the students, teaching and non-teaching staff who survived the heinous terror attack to come here on May 20, 2015 so that they can carry on with their academic activities,” Prof Mibey told journalists in his office in Kesses.

(READ: Tears of joy as Garissa survivors return home)

UNDERGO ORIENTATION

He said all the 646 students will first be taken through orientation once they are received by their colleagues at the institution.

He said that both the teaching and non-teaching staff would also be given offices at the campus.

The students at Garissa University College are in their first, second and third years and had just six weeks remaining to complete their semester.

“We are going to arrange for these students to complete their semester here before we integrate them in our other satellite campuses of their own choice across the country,” he said.

He was flanked by Moi University Students Organisation (Muso) chairman Geoffrey Omondi Juma, Secretary-General Titus Safari and Dr Masibo Lumala, a senior lecturer at Moi University.

(READ: Survivors: How we fled from the jaws of death)

SECURITY BEEFED UP

Prof Mibey indicated that security had been beefed up at the university’s satellite campuses following the Thursday morning Garissa attack.

He reiterated that the university would construct more classrooms, laboratories and hostels to accommodate the new admissions before September 2015.

“Preparations are under way to have a police post constructed here. Already we have uniformed and plainclothes officers manning this main campus around the clock,” Prof Mibey said.

“Staff and students of Moi University will be trained on disaster management so that they can acquire the requisite skills on how to protect themselves in case of danger,” he added.

He noted that the fate of Garissa University College now lies with the government, adding that he could not approximate the exact damage caused at the ill-fated institution.

“The establishment of a police post is a clear indication that our security has been catered for. We welcome the comrades from Garissa wholeheartedly.

“Our fellow brothers and sisters from Garissa who survived this attack should know that we are ready to accommodate them and help them heal,” said Mr Juma. the Muso chairman.

The university officials also thanked students from various universities across the world who have continued to pay tribute to their fallen comrades.