Kinyungu Kithendu

The marking of the fifth anniversary of Garissa University’s April 2, 2015 al Shabaab attack was a low-key ceremony because of the ban on gatherings to stem the spread of coronavirus. 

Yesterday’s event was attended by handful of staff, students and clergy. 

This was in contrast to previous years when hundreds of students, survivors and government officials converged to remember the 148 people, most of them students, who died in the terror attack. 

Vice Chancellor Ahmed Warfa said the prevailing circumstances could not allow a big gathering at the institution.

“Our country and the world is fighting the coronavirus. We have been told to keep social distancing, something that could not be achieved had we gathered in large numbers,” he said.

Since the attack, the university, which now has a population of 1,200 student, has taken several measures to beef up security.  

They include the building of a perimeter wall around the college and establishment of a police post in the campus.