Kenya -Court Orders Government To Pay Sh3 Million To Families Of 148 Garissa University Victims

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya

The Kenyan government will have to part with nearly half a billion shillings, after the High Court awarded Sh3 million each to the families of the 148 students who lost their lives during the 2015 Garissa University college attack.

For the 14 who were injured and filed the case in court together with Kituo Cha Sheria, the court granted each different compensation based on the nature of the injury.

Rose Gikonyo for instance who was a first-year student of the Garissa University College at the time of the attack, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Science), was awarded Sh10 million

She was rescued by the Kenya Red Cross and AMREF at around 12.00 pm, over six hours after she first shot.

Evidence on record showed she was admitted for about 3 months, and later went through rehabilitation processes for about 6 months.

In compensating her, Justices Mugure Thande, Anthony Ndung’u and Daniel Kemei considered the fact that her back injury deteriorated as the wound could not heal.

Gikonyo sustained spinal injury after the gunshots by the attackers which resulted in paralysis of the lower limbs and lack of bladder control.

Apart from Gikonyo, the three-judge bench awarded Ben Mwiti Sh4 million, James Muli Sh3 million, Duncan Obwamu Sh1.5 million, Anderson Owalla Sh5 million and Alfred Kithu Sh2.5 million.

Risper Nyakari was awarded Sh3 million, Mercy Chepkorir Sh1.2 million, Narius Kipngeno Sh1.2 million, Stanley Muli Sh4 million, Kasyoka Mwambeko Sh5 million, Evaline Chepkemoi Sh6 million, Ronald Moranga Sh7 million and Annastaciah mikwa Sh3.5 million.

The case had been filed in court by Kituo Cha Sheria and 14 students who survived the attack.

For those who died, the judges directed the state to compensate each loss with sh3, million each.

One of the parents who lost her child welcomed the compensation but said the amount was too little and cannot replace her son.

“It is nine years down the line while we have been waiting for justice. At last it has come but the monetary cannot take the position of our slain children whose life were cut shot and generations lost,” said a weeping parent who declined to have his name published.