1st LD Writethru: 663 survivors from Kenyan university attack sent back home

A total of 663 survivors of the Garissa attack left Garissa town Saturday to their respective homes.

The survivors, including 50 school staff, took 13 buses from Garissa military camp where they had camped two days as colleagues and community members came in large number to see them off.

Somber mood engulfed the camp as many students broke into uncontrollably tears when the buses roared out of the camp. Other residents lined on the streets wishing them good luck in their future endeavors.

Speaking at the camp, Garissa County Commissioner Njenga Miiri thanked Kenyans for remaining united.

"Kenyans has refused to be gullible and take the way our enemies wanted. Our enemies are disparate to create unnecessary wedge between Kenyan communities of diverse faith and ethnicity, but they failed as we remained more united", he said.

"As government we want our Christian community to be extra vigilant against the terrorist actions of segregating people along religious line in their attacks. Their aim is just to spark off sectarian violence in the country," noted Miiri.

The commissioner said the college will remain closed as the ballistic and anti-terrorist experts were combing the area for evidence that would help solve the puzzles of the attack.

Sources told local media some US intelligent officers have joined the investigation on Friday, however, the county commissioner declined to speak on the issue.

Speaking at the same occasion, Garissa county governor Nathif Jama said it was regrettable that so many innocent students were brutally killed and put into torturous experiences by gunmen.

"With closure of the university following the heinous terror attack, many students from poor families are likely to drop out. There are students, who were struggling to raise fees and now they have to pay an extra cost traveling outside the county to get education, " added the governor.

Jama said the leadership from the region have resolved to work in conjunction with the local communities to counter extremist activities. Endi