It is reported that in the morning of 2nd April 2015, a group of terrorists stormed the Garissa University College at around 5am. The university college is home to about 850 students from across the country. The militants forced their way through the institution’s main gate and 2 security guards on duty lost their lives trying to repel the militants. On making their way into the university compound, more security forces came to try and salvage the situation as the militants shot at students who ran around in confusion trying to save their lives. However, the terrorists had made their way and took strategic positions in the building to fight the police and the Kenya Defense Forces.
The Islamic extremists carefully timed the attack as most Muslim students were expected to be in the mosque for the morning prayers. They went from hostel to hostel unleashing their wrath on innocent Kenyan university students and later took a few of them hostage in one of the hostels.
After the incident was neutralized, there were 147 casualties, 79 injured students and 4 of the terrorists were gunned down as well. Al Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the attack that left the nation in shock. The university was later closed down following the attack.
After the incident, media outlets in Kenya, human rights activists and Kenyans in general questioned whether the incident could have been avoided. Yes, it is a common trait in Kenya to raise these questions after a terrorist incident, but maybe the questions raised could save other lives from another senseless attack.
Reports emerged on how security officials from different universities in Kenya were on high security alert, even prior to the attack at Garissa University College. The University of Nairobi had put alerts across their university premises warning students to be vigilant,they set up the alerts across all notice boards in the institution. They urged students to report any activities that seem suspicious to the relevant authorities. USIU also seemed to share the same sentiments and they posted the message on the university’s official website.
Was this intelligence shared with UoN and USIU only, or were other institutions in Kenya notified of the same? These are questions that many Kenyans demanded to know. What measures did other institutions take to ensure the security of their students? The Dean of Students at the Garissa University College, Jacktone Kweya Opande, said that the same intelligence was not shared with the institution.
Well, moving forward, it is important that events like the one witnessed at the Garissa University College never recur. Learning institutions are increasingly becoming common targets for terrorists. First and foremost, most terrorists are usually against Western education. Second, colleges and universities are centres of diversity where the student population represent people from all walks of life. Also, attacking a college or university will have a very big impact on the economy of a country.
Apart from terrorism, there are other forms of insecurity incidents that have been witnessed in different institutions across Kenya. There have been reports of rape cases, robbery with violence and possession of arms by students within the campus. These are serious issues that pose a direct threat to all the students in these learning institutions. Below are some of the ways that institutions can actively ensure that the campuses are safe for every student and members of staff. While some events may be foiled, others may catch the security apparatus unawares. Therefore below are also ways that can help the institutions minimize the number of casualties in the event of such an incident.
Just like the “Nyumba Kumi Initiative”, universities should adapt this in the quest to bring security to the students. It is important that each student knows their neighbour so that any suspicious activity or suspicious people can be discovered much faster and action taken against them.
Colleges in Kenya are normally packed with students from diverse backgrounds. It can be almost impossible for someone to know all their school mates. Especially in large institutions such as the University of Nairobi Main Campus which is home to thousands of Kenyan students. However, if every student made an effort to know the few people around him or her then strangers will find it difficult to infiltrate the hostels and campuses, thereby leading to better security.
Access to the university must be restricted to only the registered students of that institution. At every entry point in any Kenyan university, it is common to find security guards. The main point of having campus security guards is to screen people moving in and out of the campus. Universities should strive to invest in better screening gadgets to ensure that students and visitors are properly screened before accessing the university premises. Proper identification needs to be produced by students or visitors in order for them to be granted access to the campus.
When disaster strikes, it is important that students have easy escape routes to evade the direction from which the danger is coming from. An eyewitness account of the Garissa University College terror attack recounted how some students in panic mode ran towards the direction of the gunmen. It is important that as a student, you are aware of all your escape options whenever disaster strikes. With the knowledge that you have about your school, you are best placed to find the nearest escape routes. Avoid dead ends and blind spots at all times, and be swift in your decision making in case of an attack or any other form of disaster.
Maybe the universities should introduce evacuation and emergency lessons for all freshers during orientation. Random and regular emergency drills should also be carried out periodically. University students should be on the look out for any suspicious activities within the campus. These activities should be brought to the attention of the university security or the Kenyan police as soon as possible.
The university students through their student leaders must also discuss vulnerabilities in their institutions and move swiftly to act upon them. One thing that was evident on the Garissa University attack was that the attackers knew the institution well and were even aware of the various student activities in the school.
They researched well and had the attack planned to the last detail. With a major focus on non-Muslims, the terrorists knew the perfect time to strike against their target group. Campus dwellers understand where they are most vulnerable and they can bring this to the attention of the institution’s management for action.
While the country could be prepared to handle national disaster situations, how well are our learning institutions prepared? While the Garissa incident is one of its kind in the country, that does not mean that something of the same magnitude cannot happen to any university in Kenya.
Disaster preparedness of an institution can go a long way in saving lives. Most university campuses in Kenya have well equipped hospitals. The hospitals should be equipped with equipment ready to handle a large number of patients all at once. Staff should be adequate and in close vicinity so that they can be recalled in case of an emergency situation that might need more medical personnel and experts.
Enough ambulances should be ready to handle the ferrying of patients who may require specialized treatment that cannot be handled in the university hospital. All members of staff must be informed of their roles in the case of an emergency so that the situation is managed within the shortest time possible. Measures must also be taken to ensure that students get counselling, even after the situation is fully handled.
While most Kenyan universities ensure that there is campus security at all times, there is not much they can do when they are attacked by well armed people. The most they could be able to do is notify the police and the response time may not be very swift.
As student leaders from Moi University suggested after the end of the Garissa University siege, there should be presence of armed security personnel in different learning institutions. This will really help engage attackers within a short time while awaiting reinforcement. Imagine if we had a couple of armed police officers at GUC? Maybe the gunmen might not even have found their way into the campus premises. Armed police guards can act as a deterrent not just for terrorists but also rapists, armed robbers, carjackers and other criminals.
Reference : maisha.gradstate.com