The Kenyan High Court on Wednesday delivered a significant ruling, ordering the government to compensate the families of victims killed in the devastating 2015 Garissa University terror attack.
The attack, perpetrated by the al-Shabaab militant group, claimed the lives of 148 people, mostly students.
The court found the state liable for the tragedy, determining that intelligence services had prior knowledge of a potential attack on the university but failed to implement adequate preventive measures.
This negligence, the court ruled, contributed to the loss of life.
Lawyers representing the victims’ families expressed satisfaction with the verdict. John Mwariri, speaking on behalf of the families, emphasized the court’s acknowledgment of the state’s culpability.
“The court went further and found out there was sufficient information and intelligence of the imminent Garissa attack,” Mwariri said.
Survivors of the attack, like Rachael Gikonyo, who was left wheelchair-bound, also welcomed the court’s decision. The total compensation of $3.4 million will be divided among the families of the 148 victims, with each family receiving approximately $23,000.
The April 2, 2015, assault on Garissa University remains a dark chapter in Kenya’s history. The court’s ruling marks a step towards justice for the victims and their families.