On Wednesday, the Kenyan High Court ordered the government to pay $3.4 million to the families of the 148 victims of the 2015 Garissa University attack. Most victims were students.
The court found that the state failed to protect the students from the al-Shabaab attack, despite having prior intelligence about the threat. The government’s inaction was deemed a critical failure.
Lawyer John Mwariri, representing the victims’ families, emphasized that the state was responsible for the loss of innocent lives. He noted the court’s acknowledgment of the intelligence warnings.
Rachael Gikonyo, a survivor who now uses a wheelchair, expressed satisfaction with the compensation. The court’s decision will aid the families of those who perished.
Each family of the 148 deceased will receive around $23,000. The April 2, 2015, assault by al-Shabaab gunmen at Garissa University College resulted in significant loss and injury.
