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Islamic extremists kill 147 at Kenyan college

All four Somali militants reported dead.

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Ramon Ramirez

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Posted on Apr 2, 2015   Updated on May 29, 2021, 4:06 am CDT

Thursday morning around 5:30am local time, four masked gunmen forced their way onto Kenya’s Garissa University College and began a gruesome terrorist raid that left at least 147—mostly college students—dead.

The men were part of al-Shabab, a Somalia-based terrorist group of Islamic militants who have been attacking eastern Kenya for the past nine years. On the Garissa campus, al-Shabab members separated the Christians from the Muslims before the bloodshed. Many were reportedly beheaded during the 15-hour attack.

“We sorted people out and released the Muslims,” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabab’s military operations spokesman, told Reuters.

The death total—as well as the eventual death of all four terrorists at the hands of Kenyan police—were both confirmed by Kenya’s National Disaster Operation Center via Twitter.

It’s the most violent terrorist attack in Kenya since al-Shabab murdered 67 people in a Nairobi shopping mall in 2013. In Arabic, “al-Shabab” means “the youth.” The rogue military is estimated to harbor somewhere between 7,000 and 9,000 soldiers.

The Kenyan government also issued a “most wanted” reward of 20 million Kenyan shillings (roughly $215,000) for senior al-Shabab lieutenant Dulyadin Gamadhere—though his role in Thursday’s attack has not been defined.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a written statement that called for 10,000 police recruits to report in person for service—citing a staffing shortage.

Fellow Kenyans,

I am saddened to inform the Nation that early today, terrorists attacked Garissa University College killed and wounded several people and have taken others hostage. The full details of casualties will be communicated in due course by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government who is coordinating operations with the Inspector-General of the Police in Garissa.

On behalf of my Government, I extend condolences to the families of those who have perished in this attack. we continue to pray for the quick recovery of the injured, and the safe rescue of those held hostage.

I also assure the Nation that my Government has undertaken appropriate deployment to the affected area, and is fully seized of the situation. I also urge Kenyans to stay calm as we resolve this matter, and to provide the authorities with any information they may have in connection with any threats to our security. This is a moment for everyone throughout the country to be vigilant as we continue to confront and defeat our enemies.

I further direct the Inspector General of Police to take urgent steps and ensure that the 10,000 recruits whose enrollment is pending, promptly report for training at the Kenya Police College, Kiganjo. I take full responsibility for this directive. We have suffered unnecessarily due to shortage of security personnel. Kenya badly needs additional officers, and I will not keep the nation waiting.

Amid the reverberating tragedy, several world leaders rushed to process and condemn the acts.

The U.S. has launched drone strikes over the past year against al-Shabab. Reportedly weakened, Thursday’s attack may have been a result of its halted efforts to seize territory and focus on short-term terrorist acts. 

In the aftermath, Kenya’s government launched the #OneKenya social media campaign.

Screengrab via BBC News/YouTube

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*First Published: Apr 2, 2015, 10:33 pm CDT

Ramon Ramirez

Ramon Ramirez is the managing editor, and formerly the Dot's news director, entertainment editor, and evening editor. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Grantland, Washington City Paper, Austin American-Statesman, and Austin Monitor.

Ramon Ramirez