Silverio Omari
Rachel Gikonyo, a survivor of the 2013 Garissa attack, has spoken out following a court decision that awarded her Sh10 million in compensation. Gikonyo, who was a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Science) at Garissa University College at the time of the attack, enrolled at Kenyatta University after her ordeal.
Despite the trauma she endured, Gikonyo has chosen to forgive those responsible for the attack that claimed numerous lives and left many injured. “Nilisamehe wenye walifanya hivo” (I’ve forgiven those who did this to us), Gikonyo, who is now in a wheelchair, stated.
She was rescued by the Kenya Red Cross and AMREF more than six hours after being shot. Records indicate she was hospitalized for about three months and then underwent a further six months of rehabilitation. Her spinal injury, resulting from the gunshots, has led to paralysis of her lower limbs and loss of bladder control.
In determining her compensation, Justices Mugure Thande, Anthony Ndung’u, and Daniel Kemei took into account the deterioration of her back injury, which has been slow to heal.
In addition to Gikonyo, the court awarded compensation to several other survivors: Ben Mwiti (Sh4 million), James Muli (Sh3 million), Dancan Obwamu (Sh1.5 million), Anderson Owalla (Sh5 million), Alfred Kithu (Sh2.5 million), Risper Nyakari (Sh3 million), Mercy Chepkorir (Sh1.2 million), Narius Kipngeno (Sh1.2 million), Stanley Muli (Sh4 million), Kasyoka Mwambeko (Sh5 million), Evaline Chepkemoi (Sh6 million), Ronald Moranga (Sh7 million), and Annastaciah Mikwa (Sh3.5 million).
Dj Vnyash
