A member of the Kenyan Defence Forces stands guard at the Garissa University campus after an attack by Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab gunmen in Garissa on April 2, 2015.

Garissa, Kenya – The government has been ordered by the High Court to compensate the families of the 148 students who tragically lost their lives during the 2015 Garissa University College attack. Each family is set to receive Ksh 3 million, amounting to a total payout of nearly half a billion shillings.

Additionally, the court awarded various compensations to 14 individuals, who were injured in the attack. This lawsuit was filed by the 14 students who survived the horrific attack alongside legal advisory NGO Kituo Cha Sheria.

The compensation amounts were determined based on the severity and nature of their injuries.

One of the victims, Rose Gikonyo, was awarded Ksh 10 million. At the time of the attack, Gikonyo was a first-year student at Garissa University College, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Science). After being shot, she was rescued by the Kenya Red Cross and AMREF over six hours later, at approximately 12:00 PM.

Gikonyo’s medical records indicate that she was hospitalized for about three months, followed by a six-month rehabilitation period to address her injuries. Judges Mugure Thande, Anthony Ndung’u and Daniel Kemei took into account the fact that her spinal injury worsened over time, as the wound failed to heal, resulting in paralysis of her lower limbs and loss of bladder control.

In addition to Gikonyo’s compensation, the three-judge panel awarded the following amounts to other injured victims:

Ben Mwiti –  Ksh 4 million
James Muli – Ksh 3 million
Duncan Obwamu – Ksh 1.5 million
Anderson Owalla -Ksh 5 million
Alfred Kithu – Ksh 2.5 million
Risper Nyakari-Ksh 3 million
Mercy Chepkorir-Ksh 1.2 million
Narius Kipngeno-Ksh 1.2 million
Stanley Muli-sh 4 million
Kasyoka Mwambeko – Ksh 5 million
Evaline Chepkemoi-Ksh 6 million
Ronald Moranga-Ksh 7 million
Annastaciah Mikwa-sh 3.5 million

At least 70 students were massacred in April 2, 2015 when Somalia’s Al Shabaab Islamist group attacked the Kenyan university in what then interior minister, Joseph Ole Lenku, termed as the deadliest attack in the country since  the 1998 US embassy bombings.

The court’s decision underscores the need for accountability and support for victims of such tragic events.