- "We are mopping up the area," Interior Minster Joseph Nkaiserry says, adding that four gunmen had been killed after Kenyan troops launched an assault on the final building.
- Kenyan troops storm into the student dormitory where the gunmen were holed up as explosions and heavy gunfire is being heard.
- Interior Minister Joseph Nkaissery says 280 out of 815 students at the university attacked in the northeastern Kenyan town of Garissa have been accounted for, according to Kenya`s national disaster agency.
- The students were divided between Muslims and non-Muslims and the Muslims were allowed to go, insurgent spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage told the AFP.
Also Read: Somalia`s Shebab say holding Christians hostage in Kenya attack
- "Kenya is at war with Somalia.. our people are still there, they are fighting and their mission is to kill those who are against the Shebab," Rage was quoted as saying by the AFP.
- Al Shabaab spokesperson has told the AFP that it is holding Christians in the Garissa university and freed the Muslims
- One suspected terrorist has been arrested as he tried to flee the college, sys Interior minister.
CS #MajNkaissery: #GarissaAttack update: one suspected terrorist arrested as he tried to flee scene. pic.twitter.com/mmyxukjEYd
— InteriorCNG Ministry (@InteriorKE) April 2, 2015
- Meanwhile, US embassy in Nairobi has expressed shock and anger at the deadly siege by al Shabaab militants.
We are saddened & angered by today’s terrorist attack @ #Garissa Univ. Our deepest condolences 2 family/friends of victims. #CowardsNeverWin
— US Embassy Nairobi (@USEmbassyKenya) April 2, 2015
- As suspected, the attack on Kenya's Garissa University College has been claimed by Somalia-based al Shabaab militants group, reports said.
- Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Nkaissery, is set to address a press conferenece shortly.
- According to a local media report by Citizen TV Kenya, the death toll has shot up to 15 and the number of those injured has hit 56.
- Number of those injured has shot up as Red Cross Kenya informs that at least 65 casualties have been evacuated to Garissa PGH according to CEC Health Garissa.
- Meanwhile, Kenyan Red Cross says that it is coordinating with the Health Ministry to airlift critical casualties to Nairobi.
An aircraft with 4 doctors; 2 surgeons & 2 anesthesiologist has left for #Garissa to airlift critical casualties to Nairobi #GarissaAttack
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 2, 2015
- According to Interior ministry, out of the four hostels in the University, three have been evacuated and the militants are hiding in the remaining one hostel.
#GarissaAttack Update: Of the four hostels, 3 have been evacuated. The attackers have been cornered in one hostel & the operations continue.
— InteriorCNG Ministry (@InteriorKE) April 2, 2015
- It's been almost six hours that the siege began but the troops are yet to neutralise the gunmen which are said to be cornered in one hostel.
- Phone calls being made to the university college students trapped inside are not going through, Citizen TV Kenya reported citing Jacktone Kweya, the Dean of Garissa University College.
- The attackers struck during morning prayers at the Garissa University College mosque, report say.
- The college that is located in Garissa County in North Eastern part of Kenya, 378 km from Nairobi, is said to have over 1000 students, say local media reports.
- The gunmen opened fire indiscriminately and went on to shoot anyone in sight, an eyewitness told the BBC citing students who had managed to escape.
- The most fierce attack carried by the group was in 2013 when it killed over 68 people in a long siege on upscale Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi.
- So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack however Somali-based Islamist militant group al Shabaab is known to have carried out several attacks in Kenya since 2011 when Nairobi sent troops to Somalia to fight against the terror group.
- Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett already at the scene, added the ministry.
- According to Kenya's interior ministry, a security team has arrived at the college campus and is in the process of driving the militants out of the college.
An inter-agency security team has secured Garissa University & are in the process of flashing out the gunmen. #GarissaAttack
— InteriorCNG Ministry (@InteriorKE) April 2, 2015
- Majority of the injured victims have have gunshot wounds.
#GarissaAttack According to CEC Health 30 casualties taken to hospital. 4 are very serious. Majority of Casualties have gunshot wounds.
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 2, 2015
#Alert: Armed attack at Garissa University College. @EMS_Kenya and #RedCross Garissa team at scene. Updates to follow
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 2, 2015
- According to Kenya Red Cross, 30 casualties from the attack scene have been taken to the hospital, out of which four are said to be very critical.
- Kenyan troops and members from Emergency Medical Services and Kenya Red Cross are at the site.
- The site of attack at the Garissa University has been cordoned off by security forces.
- According to a policewoman, two security guards at the campus had been killed and the gunmen may have taken many students hostages, Reuters reported.
- Explosion and gunfire were heard and at least two men said to be guards were reportedly killed.
- Al Shabaab gunmen wearing masks stormed Garissa University College in south central Kenya, and may have taken students hostage, reports said Thursday.
