One year after Garissa's Attack

In their numbers, thousands of Kenyans drawn from all walks of life on Saturday gathered at Garissa University College to mark the first anniversary since the deadly terror attack that left 148 people dead, majority of them students.

Security was tight in and around the university college, with those entering subjected to thorough frisking and screening by armed security personnel.

Al Shabaab had on April 2, 2015 attacked Garissa University College, in northeastern Kenya.

Hundreds of people turned for a memorial marathon that kicked off at 7:45am.

Local political and religious leaders, led by Garissa Township MP and National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, participated in the five-kilometre marathon.

Organisers said the marathon was aimed at bringing cohesion and integration between Kenyans after one of the worst terror attacks in the country.

Speaking after finishing the marathon, the Garissa Township MP said the fact that people of different walks of life turned up at the memorial was a true testimony that they were united against terrorism.

Mr Duale told a battery of local and international journalists that the Garissa University attack was one of his darkest moments.

He said the attack was not exceptional as terror acts could occur anywhere in the globe, citing the recent Brussels attack that left scores dead.

Mr Duale, however, appreciated the effort done by the government after the terror attack in Garissa.

He noted that the posting of top security chiefs who hail from the region had largely led to improvement of security in the area.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Kenyans for standing with Garissa at their hour of need, this clearly shows that we are united to defeat this menace by the name Al-Shabaab.

“I also appreciate the government because security was boosted and a request by leaders to post local security heads to the region was also granted,” he said.

The Garissa Township lawmaker said local residents had stood and mourned with parents and relatives who lost their loved ones during the attack.

“We will stand united and as Kenyans we will not allow the pen to be replaced by the bullet, we are here one year later to tell the nation and the whole world that what is happening in Brussels, Istanbul in Turkey can only be defeated when we come together globally,” he said.

The memorial was also attended by other leaders including Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, Elias Bare Shill (Fafi MP), Garissa Woman Representative Shukran Gure and Nominated MP Abdinoor Mohamed.

“We would like to tell parents and relatives who lost their loved ones that our spirits are with you and pray to Almighty God that God will comfort you and together as nation and country we remain united,” he added.