Garissa County: Flourishing Under Tight Security 4 Years Since Worst Terror Attack

Garissa County has in the past been grouped in the list of marginalized Counties in the Country maybe because of its close proximity to Somalia, a Country that poses as a security threat to Kenya and its dry hot weather conditions.

Whenever you mention the word Garissa County, insecurity comes into the minds of a majority of people but this ought not to be case anymore as the County has triumphed in ensuring that the County is a safe haven.

Standing Tall, Fours Year after Attack on Garissa University

Located in the Northeastern of Kenya, the compact Garissa County is quietly growing to become a cosmopolitan in its own right, attracting a varied mix of communities.

Kenyans from as far as Mombasa, Western and Nyanza have joined residents in Garissa County in search of greener pastures and one is likely to notice members of different communities within the County.

Garissa County, just like perfect gold, has survived fire and is maneuvering its way into setting development as precedence four years after experiencing what was termed as the worst terror attack to occur on Kenyan soil.

Garissa County however refused to have the institution bow to the cowardice the Alshabaab presented when it attacked a university full of young defenseless youths and massacred 148 lives and choose to stand tall.

Security in Garissa County

The dark cloud of fear and mourning has since eased up on the communities in Garissa County especially the town centre where the University attack is located and order has resumed as a memoir hangs in the compound to remind it of what it has had to conquer.

The attack that occurred on the only chartered university on the North Eastern region, Garissa University, on 3^rd April 2015, left 148 students dead.

The students who had enrolled at the University came from various parts of the country with their death injuring the image of the County and the County at large.

Security in Garissa County is tight which is understandable given what the County had to deal with and realizing that it is located at the boundary of Kenya and Somalia.

If driving to Garissa County or going in a bus, have your luggage packed in a way that it will be easier to have it unpacked by security officials and for you to park which could happen an average ten times and different stopovers.

If and when travelling to Garissa County, carry your Identification card and keep it safely with you at all times as you will be required to produce it at each and every stopover.

When travelling with children, be sure to carry their birth certificates as they too will be required to prove citizenship to be allowed to pass the police stopovers.

Real Estate in Garissa County

The friendliness of locals in Garissa town upon arrival will have you mingling in as the warm fresh environment acts as a bonus.

In Garissa town and outskirts, a one bedroomed house is rented at an average of 10,000 shillings monthly and is the size of most one bedroom houses in Nairobi that would cost one around 18,000 shillings.

In restaurant accommodation, if one is in transit, they would require at least 1000 shillings for a decent place of sleep or 4000 shillings to spend in a five-star hotel.

Garissa County has two restaurants that can be considered as five stars which are Palm Oasis and Lantern Hotel, both located within the town.

Market Prices of Food Commodities

The price of food commodities in the market of Garissa County varies on seasons but food is expensive in Garissa County compared to Nairobi county and a majority of other Counties in the Country.

Most of the food products in Garissa market are drawn from Mwingi or Kiambu County as hot and dry conditions make it difficult for the community to farm even in small scale.

The need to buy food products for the County from Mwingi or Kiambu has resulted in higher prices which now has them selling products in kilograms to enable them to make profits.

Products such as ripe yellow bananas are difficult to find over the weekend as they are scarce over the weekend.

Key Places in Garissa County

Every County has those places that stand out and so does Garissa as listed below:

• Largest Supermarket

In Garissa supermarket, the largest retailer that has managed to etch its way is Naivas supermarket which is located a few meters from the Garissa General Hospital and opposite the upcoming Garissa cancer centre.

• Largest and Highest Education Institution

Garissa University which is located just as you get into town, a few metres from the Tana River which acts as Garissa’s gate, is the largest academic institution.

• Largest and Classiest Restaurant in Garissa County

Palm Oasis, previously known as The Almond, is relatively the biggest and classiest restaurant in Garissa County located at the outskirts of the town where all the hustle and bustle goes on.

Palm Oasis prides itself in its magnificent architectural design that has its client’s covered not only in terms of great services but all also in regards to well serviced amenities.

The virgin unpolluted hot air released in Garissa is cleansed by the green palm trees that are nicely surrounded by green grass and well-trimmed short fences at the Palm Oasis restaurant.

Palm Oasis has a swimming pool, with a section for a shallow swimming pool for children that will cool your body and have you enjoy staying submerged given the hot weather conditions.

The next time you feel you need a break, a holiday to rejuvenate yourself, visit Freedom airline at the Wilson Airport and book yourself a flight for only 6000 shillings and you will arrive in less than 45 minutes.

In the event that you fancy a road tour, then go to Eastleigh and book yourself a bus, the Alma bus is considered comfortable, and you will be in Garissa town in a maximum of six hours.

Once in Garissa County, visit the Garissa University and pay tribute to our fallen 148 brothers and sisters after which you can embark on a desert walk, a Dubai experience made locally.

In Garissa County, you could also visit the Giraffes a few metres from Palm Oasis, and the massive Tana River which is a walking distance from the Palm Oasis.

Garissa is an ideal holiday destination especially with areas such as the Coastal region getting all crowded.

Read Also: 3 Garissa University Attack Suspects Convicted and Imprisoned