Garissa University reopens nine months after massacre, but Christian students too scared to attend

Garissa University has re-opened nine months after al-Shabaab killed 148 people on the campus in Northern Kenya.

Staff returned to work this week and students are expected back on Monday. However only 60 of the previously 800-strong student population are expected to attend when classes resume, most of whom will be Muslim.

On 2 April 2015, gunmen raided the college  for more than ten hours, killing 148, mostly Christian students.

Roman Catholic Bishop Joseph Alessandro of the Garissa Diocese has welcomed the reopening of the university, but highlighted that currently most of the Christian students "are still scared" and will not return to their studies.

However, the bishop added: "We hope they will join soon."

In the aftermath of the shooting last April, 650 students from the college were offered places at its sister campus in Eldoret, western Kenya. They are not expected to return to Garissa upon its reopening.

"It is too early to imagine the same students would go back. They have scars and wounds both physically and psychologically, which are still too fresh," said George Ogalo, the national director of Fellowship of Christian Unions, an organisation that serves Kenyan universities.

Security has been increased on campus, including a police station within the college. The government has also promised a security wall will be erected around the school's perimeter.

related articles
Al Shabaab attacks village in Kenya\'s Garissa
Al Shabaab attacks village in Kenya's Garissa

Al Shabaab attacks village in Kenya's Garissa

The Garissa massacre: Stories from the survivors
The Garissa massacre: Stories from the survivors

The Garissa massacre: Stories from the survivors

Christian teacher abducted by al-Shabaab rescued in Somalia
Christian teacher abducted by al-Shabaab rescued in Somalia

Christian teacher abducted by al-Shabaab rescued in Somalia

Muslim bus passengers save Christians from Al-Shabaab extremists: \'Kill us all or leave\'
Muslim bus passengers save Christians from Al-Shabaab extremists: 'Kill us all or leave'

Muslim bus passengers save Christians from Al-Shabaab extremists: 'Kill us all or leave'

News
Church leaders condemn antisemitic ambulance attack
Church leaders condemn antisemitic ambulance attack

Christian leaders have been united in their condemnation of a firebomb attack on four ambulances operated by a Jewish charity. 

Pakistan temporarily halts plan to evict Christians from settlement
Pakistan temporarily halts plan to evict Christians from settlement

Faced with poverty and discrimination, many Christians have nowhere to go.

Where to enjoy Christian heritage on the King's new coastal path
Where to enjoy Christian heritage on the King's new coastal path

Here are five remarkable Christian stops worth visiting on the new King Charles III England Coast Path, each one rooted not only in its own history but also in the wider coastal landscape around it.

Rowan Williams ponders Anglican Communion's survival
Rowan Williams ponders Anglican Communion's survival

In two decades, the issues affecting the Anglican Communion have not changed but the divisions have only intensified.