The Kisii County Government has set aside funds to assist families affected by the Garissa Campus terror attack.
By Thursday morning, eleven students who hail from Kisii County were confirmed to have died in the attack. Two students were yet to be identified while one is reported missing. 30 students survived the attack and have so far rejoined their families.
Speaking in his office, Governor James Ongwae said it was important that the affected families receive necessary support in this difficult moment.
“Since this heinous attack took place, we entered into a collaborative arrangement with the Kenya Red Cross to assist those affected. We set up help desks in Kisii and in Nairobi to assist our people trace their beloved ones,” said Ongwae.
The Governor said each deceased student’s family will receive KShs.50, 000 while each of the 30 survivors will receive KShs.10, 000 as subsistence allowance. Further, a bus will be availed to transport family members to and from Chiromo mortuary in Nairobi.
“As a County, we are saddened by this terrorist attack which has cut short the lives of innocent young Kenyans. We don’t want to see acts of terrorism in our midst and that is why we need to be watchful of our neighbours,” observed Ongwae.
County Executive Committee (CEC) member in charge of Administration and Stakeholder Management Peris Onsarigo said the survivors will be supported to access post trauma counseling and continuous medical care.
Governor Ongwae announced that his Government through the department of Education, Labour and Manpower Development had initiated talks with Moi and Kisii Universities on the relocation of the affected students. “Most of the students look traumatized and it will be unfair to ask them to go back to Garissa. We are in talks with Moi University regarding their relocation since Garissa was their constituent college. However, we are also in talks with Kisii University to ensure these students don’t lose much time in their studies,” he added.
There will be an interdenominational prayer service in Kisii once the bodies arrive from Nairobi ahead of the burials.
