Garissa campus attack victim leaves hospital

Wednesday October 14, 2015

Garissa University College terror attack survivor Anastasia Mikwa leaves Defence Forces Memorial Hospital, Nairobi, yesterday after six months of treatment.

advertisements

A student who survived the Garissa University College terror attack has been discharged from hospital after six months’ treatment, including 28 surgeries.

Anastasia Mikwa, 20, walked out on crutches yesterday from the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi.

She told the Star she fell unconscious during the April 2 attack, in which al Shabaab killed 148 people.

“It was a terrible moment. I don’t want to remember it, but I have forgiven those who caused me this suffering. I have no hard feelings against them,” Mikwa said.

The first-year bachelor of education in science student reunited with family after an emotional discharge by hospital staff.

“I’m very happy as I say goodbye to doctors I had become friends with and join my colleagues to continue with my studies,” she said.

Mikwa is expected to recover and walk without the crutches in two months.

Her winding and painful journey to recovery started with five days in a high dependency unit before she was moved to the wards.

“I thank God and the doctors here. I have learnt God is powerful and can do miracles,” she said.

“When I came here, I was very weak and could not walk. I didn’t imagine I shall ever walk or lift my legs again.”

Colonel James Mwika, who treated Mikwa, said she was in a coma for five days before she was moved to the wards.

“She had sustained multiple gunshots in her thighs and her femur bones had been completely shattered,” Mwika said.

“It was impossible to tell how many times she had been shot.”

Mwika said the cost of treatment has surpassed Sh2 million.

Mikwa left for home in Kyondoni village, Masinga constituency, Machakos county.

She left with her parents and GUC senior assistant librarian Winnie Komu, who has been tasked with taking charge of the welfare of students.

Komu said Mikwa will be readmitted at the Moi University’s Eldoret campus in January next year.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online