Garissa University College in Kenya has reopened nine months after an al-Shabaab attack killed 147 people dead and injured dozens more. 142 of the dead were students in the April 2 massacre, the deadliest attack in Kenya since the 1998 US embassy bombings.
Militants claiming to be from al-Shabaab took around 700 hostages, freeing Muslims and killing those who identified themselves as Christian. The siege ended after almost 15 hours, with all four attackers being killed
Staff were asked to return to the university on Wednesday so that prospective students could pic up information on potential courses.
In November, the French government announced that it will pay the tuition fees for a year for 109 of the students who survived the attack. They will also be given a living allowance, according to the French Embassy.
A police post has been established at the university to help maintain security, according to the BBC.
Many have offered their support for the students returning to their studies, expressing defiance in the face of extremism.
Education is power and very essential to any human being in this 21st century and so #GarissaUniversityReopens Today.what a joyous day!
— Hafsa Ahmed (@streetlawyer254) January 4, 2016We will never be defeated by cowards, we are one and strong #GarissaUniversityReopens
— Dahiye Abdille (@Dahiye_abdille) January 4, 2016The pen is mightier than the sword. The ink hasn't dried. Pages will be written. Chapters will be opened #GarissaUniversityReopens
— Agnes Olawo (@AgnesOlawo_) January 4, 2016
