Leaders assure Garissa TTC students over security concerns
What you need to know:
- The students told the county security team that they live in a lot of fear and that they are traumatized by the April attack on university students.
- The county commissioner appealed to the institution's management to seek professional counselling for students to ensure what happened in Garissa University College will not affect their performance.
Garissa County government officials Thursday evening went to Garissa Teachers Training College to assure students of their security.
The county security team headed by the newly appointed Garissa county commissioner James Kianda and education officials, led by the county education director Mr Adhan Sheikh, visited the institution to assure the students who have been living in fear of their security.
Mr Kianda told the students the government was doing everything to ensure they are secure adding that the number of police officers protecting the institution will be increased.
According to the institution's management, about 400 students have so far reported, after delaying for security reasons.
The county commissioner at the same time called on the college management to come up with a strict identification mode to ensure teaching, non-teaching staff and students can identify themselves easily to lock out criminals.
“We have come here to tell you that the government is committed to ensure everyone of you is protected so that you attain your aspirations in life,” he said.
LIVE IN FEAR
The students told the county security team that they live in a lot of fear and that they are traumatised by the April attack on university students.
“Sometimes I stay awake till 2am, in the morning I can’t concentrate well because am so traumatised by what has happened in the university,” one of the students told the leaders.
The county commissioner appealed to the institution's management to seek professional counselling for students to ensure what happened in Garissa University College will not affect their performance.
“I would appeal to the management of the college to get professionals to counsel students, you can also engage paramedics in Garissa referral hospitals to ensure students are not affected by what happened in the past,” he said.
Mr Kianda called on the students to share information with the management who will in turn engage security officials in the county adding that the fight against terrorism can only be fought at the information level.
He said the national government would engage with the county government so that floodlights and a perimeter wall are put at the college.
