Garissa University College attack

{{Short description|2015 Al-Shabaab shooting in Kenya}}
{{Use Kenyan English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title        = 2015 Garissa University College attack
| partof       = [[terrorism in Kenya]]
| map          = {{Location map | Kenya
 | alt         = 
 | lat_deg     = -0.4514
 | lon_deg     = 39.6614
 | relief      = yes
 | caption     = Location of Garissa Town in Kenya
 }}
| image_size   = 
| location     = [[Garissa]], [[Kenya]]
| target       = Students
| coordinates  = {{Coord|00|27|05|S|39|39|41|E|display=inline,title}}
| date         = {{start date|2015|04|02|df=y}}
| time         = 05:30 (local time)
| timezone     = [[UTC+03:00]]
| type         = [[Hostage-taking]], [[mass shooting]]
| fatalities   = 148<ref name=BBC2/>
| injuries     = 79
| victims      = 
| perpetrators = [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]]
| susperps     = 
| weapons      = [[AK-47]]s and [[explosive belt]]s
| numparts     = 
| dfens        = 
| motive       = Kenyan participation in the [[African Union Mission to Somalia|AU Mission to Somalia]]
}}
{{History of Kenya}}

On 2 April 2015, gunmen stormed the [[Garissa University College]] in [[Garissa]], [[Kenya]], killing 148 people,<ref name=BBC2>{{cite news |title=Kenya al-Shabab attack: Security questions as Garissa dead mourned |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32177123 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=3 April 2015 |access-date=3 April 2015 |archive-date=12 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212071437/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32177123 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0403/691817-kenya/ |title=Death toll from Kenyan attack rises to 148 |date=3 April 2015 |work=[[RTÉ.ie]] |access-date=17 November 2015 |archive-date=18 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118063619/http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0403/691817-kenya/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and injuring at least 79. The militant groups [[Al-Qaeda]] and [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]], which the gunmen claimed to belong to, took responsibility for the attack.<ref name="The New York Times">{{Cite news |last1=Gettleman |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Kushkush |first2=Isma'il |last3=Callimachi |first3=Rukmini |date=2015-04-02 |title=Somali Militants Kill 147 at Kenyan University |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/03/world/africa/garissa-university-college-shooting-in-kenya.html |access-date=2021-05-05 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422043448/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/03/world/africa/garissa-university-college-shooting-in-kenya.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The gunmen took over 700 students hostage, freeing Muslims and killing those who identified as Christians. The siege ended the same day, when all four of the attackers were killed. Five men were later arrested in connection with the attack, and a bounty was placed for the arrest of a suspected organizer.

The attack was the deadliest in Kenya since the [[1998 United States embassy bombings]],<ref name=Reuters1 /> and is the [[Terrorism in Kenya|second deadliest]] overall, with more casualties than the [[2002 Mombasa attacks]], the 2013 [[Westgate shopping mall attack]],<ref name=EastAfrican1>{{cite web |last1=Mutambo |first1=Aggrey |last2=Hajir |first2=Abdimalik |title=147 killed as Garissa University College attacked by gunmen |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/70-killed-as-Garissa-University-College-attacked-by-gunmen/-/2558/2674310/-/gcoefgz/-/index.html |work=[[The EastAfrican]] |access-date=3 April 2015 |date=2 April 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402181323/http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/70-killed-as-Garissa-University-College-attacked-by-gunmen/-/2558/2674310/-/gcoefgz/-/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the [[2014 Nairobi bus bombings]], the [[2014 Gikomba bombings]], the [[2014 Mpeketoni attacks]] and the [[2014 Lamu attacks]].

== Background ==
Garissa, in the [[North Eastern Province (Kenya)|North Eastern Province]] around 200&nbsp;km from the border with Somalia, was considered "one of the safest spots in the region." It housed both military barracks and police headquarters.<ref name=CSM1>{{cite news |last=Zirulnick |first=Ariel |title=Kenya university attack puts security capabilities under fresh scrutiny (+video) |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2015/0402/Kenya-university-attack-puts-security-capabilities-under-fresh-scrutiny-video |access-date=3 April 2015 |agency=Christian Science Monitor |archive-date=9 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209200856/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2015/0402/Kenya-university-attack-puts-security-capabilities-under-fresh-scrutiny-video |url-status=live }}</ref> Al-Shabaab, a multi-ethnic militant group based in Somalia with links to [[Al-Qaeda]], had killed over 200 people in Kenya in the two years prior to the event, in attacks like the [[Westgate shopping mall attack|2013 Westgate shopping mall shooting]]. These attacks significantly affected [[Tourism in Kenya|Kenya's tourism industry]],<ref name = Reuters1 /> although prior to Al-Shabaab's existence, the [[2002 Mombasa attacks]] also targeted tourists. Previously, many of the militant group's attacks were outside major urban population centers.<ref name=CSM1 />

Diplomats and analysts had also criticized the Kenyan security forces' policing strategy, which they described as heavy-handed and which involved indiscriminate mass arrests of resident Somalis. They further warned that such sweeping tactics would only result in creating resentment among Muslims, thereby providing Al-Shabaab with an opportunity to capitalize on the situation.<ref name = "Karidaaou">{{cite news |title=Kenya Arrests Five in Deadly al Shabaab Attack on University |url=http://www.newsweek.com/five-arrested-kenya-al-shabaab-attack-319666 |access-date=4 April 2015 |agency=Reuters |date=4 April 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404210043/http://www.newsweek.com/five-arrested-kenya-al-shabaab-attack-319666 |url-status=live }}</ref>

It was reported that there had been "high-profile warnings about a threat to a major university" prior to the attack.<ref name=CSM1 /> Grace Kai, a student at a nearby college, said that "strangers had been spotted in Garissa town and were suspected to be terrorists", and then "on Monday [30 March 2015] our college principal told us… that strangers had been spotted in our college"; on Tuesday, while the college closed and sent its students home, the university which remained open was attacked.<ref name=Reuters1>{{cite web |last=Honan |first=Edith |title=Al Shabaab storms Kenyan university, 14 killed |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-security-college-idUSKBN0MT0CK20150402 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |access-date=2 April 2015 |archive-date=25 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125151726/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-security-college-idUSKBN0MT0CK20150402 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The attack came a day after the Kenyan President [[Uhuru Kenyatta]] had chastised the United Kingdom and Australia for renewing their travel warnings over security threats in Kenya,<ref name="Karidaaou"/> and accused them of perpetuating [[colonialism]].<ref name= "Posl">{{cite news |title=Pull out of Somalia: Leaders |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Pull-out-of-Somalia-Leaders/-/1056/2676424/-/nchk13z/-/ |access-date=5 April 2015 |agency=Daily Nation |date=4 April 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052527/http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Pull-out-of-Somalia-Leaders/-/1056/2676424/-/nchk13z/-/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Attack and hostage-taking ==
The attack started at around 05:30 am local time.<ref name=BBC1>{{cite web |title=Kenya attack: Garissa University assault 'killed 147' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32169080 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2 April 2015 |access-date=2 April 2015 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629034307/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32169080 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two unarmed guards were killed at the entrance.<ref name="Gwhcsw">{{cite news |title=Garissa: What has changed since Westgate? |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/africa/2015/04/garissa-changed-westgate-150405123032987.html |access-date=8 April 2015 |agency=Al-Jazeera |date=5 April 2015 |archive-date=8 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408124227/http://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/africa/2015/04/garissa-changed-westgate-150405123032987.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 20 students were rescued by soldiers, including Collins Wetangula, who described the presence of at least five masked, armed gunmen, as well as Christians being "shot on the spot".<ref name=AP1>{{cite web |last1=Odula |first1=Tom |last2=Muhumuza |first2=Rodney |first3=Khalil |last3=Senosi |title=Al-Shabab militants kill 147 at university in Kenya |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/e1f42fc2fd034658a3a22dff9d6d0612/police-gunmen-attack-university-eastern-kenya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131326/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/e1f42fc2fd034658a3a22dff9d6d0612/police-gunmen-attack-university-eastern-kenya |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2015 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=2 April 2015 |date=2 April 2015}}</ref> Other survivors indicated that the shooters had summoned the pupils to get out of their bedrooms in the dormitory and to position themselves face-down on the ground, but then executed the students.<ref name=AFP2>{{cite news |title=Somalia's Shebab warn Kenyan public of 'long, gruesome war' |url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/2015/04/04/somalia-s-shebab-warn-kenyan-public-of-long-gruesome-war |access-date=4 April 2015 |agency=AFP |date=4 April 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404234651/http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/2015/04/04/somalia-s-shebab-warn-kenyan-public-of-long-gruesome-war |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Kenya Defence Forces]] and other security agencies were deployed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Al-Shabab: Christian hostages held in Kenya university |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/04/gunmen-attack-garissa-university-northern-kenya-150402041939434.html |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |access-date=2 April 2015 |date=2 April 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404015900/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/04/gunmen-attack-garissa-university-northern-kenya-150402041939434.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They surrounded and sealed off the university to flush out the gunmen, with the Interior Ministry and [[Kenya National Disaster Operation Centre]] reporting that three out of four dormitories had been evacuated.<ref name=Reuters1 /> Michael Bwana, another student who fled, said that "most of the people still inside there are girls", in reference to the remaining student dormitory where the gunmen were believed to be hiding.<ref name=AP1 />

The siege ended after nearly 15 hours,<ref name=Reuters1 /> with four gunmen killed just after dusk.<ref name=AP1 /> The masked attackers wielded [[AK-47]]s and were strapped with [[explosive belt|explosives]]. Four of the terrorists were shot by the Recce Squad Commandos of the Kenyan GSU. The fifth terrorist was able to detonate his suicide vest causing injuries to some of the commandos.<ref name=BBC1 /><ref name=AP1 />

Of the 148 dead, 142 were students, 3 were soldiers and 3 were police officers.<ref name=BBC2/> Around 587 students escaped, but 79 were injured. Authorities said all students have since been accounted for.<ref name=BBC1 />

== Perpetrators and motive ==
A student survivor said that the gunmen spoke in [[Swahili language|Swahili]], and asserted that they were associated with the [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]] group.<ref name=AP1 /> The group later claimed responsibility for the attack.<ref name=AFP1>{{cite web |title=Al Shabab massacres 147 Kenyan students |url=http://mg.co.za/article/2015-04-02-al-shabab-take-university-students-hostage-kill-15 |publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]] |access-date=3 April 2015 |date=2 April 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404235106/http://mg.co.za/article/2015-04-02-al-shabab-take-university-students-hostage-kill-15 |url-status=live }}</ref> A spokesman for the group, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, said regarding the situation that "when our men arrived, they released the Muslims", but were holding Christians hostage. Rage also stated that his men's "mission is to kill those who are against the Shabab", and that "Kenya is at war with Somalia" in reference to the deployment of Kenyan troops in the [[African Union Mission to Somalia]] (AMISOM).<ref name=AFP1 /> Another spokesman asserted that Al-Shabaab attacked the institution because it was "on Muslim land colonized by non-Muslims".<ref name="Mtsdiaa">{{cite news |title=More than 70 dead in Al-Shabaab attack on Kenyan college, as Christians reportedly held hostage |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/04/02/garissa-attack-kenya/ |access-date=2 April 2015 |agency=FoxNews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404095007/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/04/02/garissa-attack-kenya/ |archive-date=4 April 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

One suspected attacker was arrested while fleeing the area during the siege.<ref name=AP1 /> After the siege ended, two more suspected attackers were found on the campus and arrested, one of whom was Tanzanian and had no connections to the university.<ref name="BBC2" />

[[United Kingdom|British]] born [[Jihad]]ist [[Samantha Lewthwaite]] was, at one point, believed by some to have masterminded the attack.<ref>[https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/white-widow-samantha-lewthwaite-has-5714810 "White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite 'has killed 400 people in reign of terror against the west"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304152713/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/white-widow-samantha-lewthwaite-has-5714810 |date=4 March 2018 }}, ''Daily Mirror'', 17 May 2015</ref>

The Kenyan government named a citizen of Somali origin Mohamed Kuno (alias Sheikh Mohamed Dulayadayn, Gamadhere, or Mohamed Mohamud) as the mastermind behind the attack, and offered a [[Kenyan shilling|KSh.]]&nbsp;{{shilingi|20,000,000}} (US$215,000) reward for his arrest.<ref name=AFP2 /> From 1993 to 1995, Mohamud had worked at the [[Al-Haramain Foundation]], and later taught and became the principal of the Madrasa Najah school in Garissa until 2007<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Mohamed-Kuno-Garissa-College-attack-mastermind/-/1056/2674114/-/co6umw/-/index.html |title=Government names a Kenyan and a former teacher Mohamed Kuno as Garissa University College attack mastermind |date=28 March 2015 |access-date=28 February 2015 |publisher=Daily Nation (Kenya) |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152131/http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Mohamed-Kuno-Garissa-College-attack-mastermind/-/1056/2674114/-/co6umw/-/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mwakilishi.com/content/articles/2015/04/02/sh20-million-bounty-for-garissa-attack-mastermind-mohamed-gamadhere.html |title=Sh20 Million Bounty for Garissa Attack Mastermind Mohamed Gamadhere |date=28 March 2015 |access-date=28 February 2015 |publisher=Capital FM News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403022411/http://www.mwakilishi.com/content/articles/2015/04/02/sh20-million-bounty-for-garissa-attack-mastermind-mohamed-gamadhere.html |archive-date=3 April 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="kunodead">{{cite news |title=Garissa university attack plotter 'dead' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36427289 |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=1 June 2016 |access-date=21 June 2019 |archive-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621054622/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36427289 |url-status=live }}</ref> He later crossed into Somalia to join the [[Union of Islamic Courts]] and then [[Hizbul Islam]], which merged with Al-Shabaab in 2010.<ref name="kunodead"/> The local media had associated Mohamud with two separate Al-Shabaab attacks in 2014 in the Mandera area.<ref name=AFP2 />

On 4 April, Al-Shabaab issued a statement in English aimed at the Kenyan public. The emailed message denounced what it described as "unspeakable atrocities against the Muslims of East Africa" by Kenyan security forces, both in the predominantly ethnic Somali-inhabited North Eastern Province and in southern Somalia, where Kenyan forces had been deployed as part of AMISOM. The militant group indicated that the Garissa shooters wanted to "avenge the deaths of thousands of Muslims killed at the hands of the Kenyan security forces." In further retaliation, Al-Shabaab declared that "Kenyan cities will run red with blood"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-04 |title=Kenya university massacre survivor found hiding in cupboard |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/kenya-garissa-university-attack-massacre-survivor-cynthia-cheroitich-found-cupboard-10155642.html |access-date=2021-05-05 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506205818/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/kenya-garissa-university-attack-massacre-survivor-cynthia-cheroitich-found-cupboard-10155642.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and vowed that it would "stop at nothing to avenge the deaths of our Muslim brothers until your government ceases its oppression and until all Muslim lands are liberated from Kenyan occupation." The group also warned the Kenyan public that it would target them in their workplaces, residences, schools and universities for "condoning your government's oppressive policies by failing to speak out against them" and for "reinforcing their policies by electing them."<ref name=AFP2 />

On 4 April, the Interior Ministry of Kenya announced that five men suspected of involvement in the attack had been apprehended. Three of the individuals, Kenyan citizens of Somali origin, were believed to have been the organizers. They were intercepted as they were attempting to enter Somalia.<ref name="Karidaaou"/> One of the men, Mohammed Abdirahim Abdullahi (aged 24),<ref name="Rksdtascis">{{cite news |title=Kenya says destroys 2 al Shabaab camps in Somalia |url=https://af.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=AFKBN0MX0PR20150406 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150406160121/http://af.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=AFKBN0MX0PR20150406 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 April 2015 |access-date=6 April 2015 |work=Reuters |date=6 April 2015}}</ref> was reportedly the son of Bulla Jamhuri chief Abdullahi Daqare in [[Mandera County]].<ref name="Gfgaffhlgih">{{cite news |title=Father of Garissa attacker fears for his life, goes into hiding |url=http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=12658 |access-date=8 April 2015 |agency=Goobjoog |date=7 April 2015 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415212023/http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=12658 |url-status=live }}</ref> The other individual was a security guard at the university; also a Kenyan citizen of Somali origin, he was thought to have facilitated entry into the institution. The last suspect, a Tanzanian named Rashid Charles Mberesero, was suspected of having been among the gunmen. He was reportedly found hiding in the ceiling and was carrying ammunition.<ref name="Karidaaou"/> Kenyan police were also searching for a close associate of Abdullahi's, who had received training with him in Somalia and later left for [[Yemen]] to reach [[Syria]].<ref name="Gfgaffhlgih"/>

In June 2016, Mohamed Kuno, who led the attack was killed by regional forces in Somalia during a raid on a convoy in [[Kismayo]], Somalia.<ref name="kunodead"/>

Mberesero, Mohamed Ali Abikar and Hassan Edin Hassan were charged with conspiracy to commit the attack and of belonging to Al-Shabaab.<ref name="3foundguilty">{{cite news |title=Three found guilty over Kenya university massacre |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48695398 |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=19 June 2019 |access-date=21 June 2019 |archive-date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620222333/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48695398 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2019, four years after the attack, they were found guilty, while Sahal Diriye Hussein, also charged, was acquitted.<ref name="3foundguilty"/>

On November 15, 2021, Ali Abikar escaped from prison with two other detained Al-Shabaab members.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/three-terrorism-suspects-kenya-escape-prison-police-2021-11-15/ |title=Kenyan police say three 'dangerous' inmates flee maximum security prison |work=Reuters |date=15 November 2021 |access-date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=15 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115172345/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/three-terrorism-suspects-kenya-escape-prison-police-2021-11-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but were later apprehended in [[Kitui County]] in South Eastern Kenya as they attempted to cross to Somalia, three days later by Kenyan authorities following a tip-off from locals of the area.<ref>{{cite news |title=TOP STORIES3 Terror Convicts Who Escaped From Kamiti Prison Arrested |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2021/11/3-terror-convicts-who-escaped-from-kamiti-prison-arrested/ |agency=Capital FM |publisher=Capital FM |access-date=21 January 2022 |archive-date=21 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121205706/https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2021/11/3-terror-convicts-who-escaped-from-kamiti-prison-arrested/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Reactions==
The [[United Nations Security Council]] strongly condemned the attack in Garissa, stressing the need to bring to justice perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of what they termed as "reprehensible acts of terrorism", urging all states to cooperate with Kenyan authorities in the aftermath of the attack.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2015/04/terrorist-attack-in-garissa-kenya-strongly-condemned-by-security-council/#.VSLabOTh5z0 |title=Terrorist attack in Garissa, Kenya strongly condemned by Security Council |date=3 April 2015 |work=unmultimedia.org |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014841/http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2015/04/terrorist-attack-in-garissa-kenya-strongly-condemned-by-security-council/#.VSLabOTh5z0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The United States, through its [[Embassy of the United States, Nairobi|embassy in Nairobi]], issued a statement strongly condemning the attack and extending condolences to all who were affected. President [[Barack Obama]], who visited Kenya in July 2015, expressed horror and sadness at the reports that students were killed in the attack, adding that "the Kenyan people should know they have an unwavering friend and ally in the United States of America".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/pr-040315.html |title=Press Releases – Nairobi, Kenya – Embassy of the United States |work=usembassy.gov |access-date=14 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117025635/http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/pr-040315.html |archive-date=17 November 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/pr-40217.html |title=Press Releases – Nairobi, Kenya – Embassy of the United States |work=usembassy.gov |access-date=14 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024059/http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/pr-40217.html |archive-date=17 November 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="The New York Times"/>

The [[British High Commission]], which had issued an extended [[travel advisory]] covering Kenya at large,<ref name="Karidaaou"/> advised against all but essential travel to within {{convert|15|km|mi}} of the Coast Region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya |title=Kenya travel advice – GOV.UK |work=www.gov.uk |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905222620/https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya |url-status=live }}</ref> In the aftermath of the attack, the UK's Minister for Africa [[James Duddridge]] strongly condemned the attack, offering condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-for-africa-condemns-terrorist-attack-in-kenya |title=Minister for Africa condemns terrorist attack in Kenya |work=www.gov.uk |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117034526/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-for-africa-condemns-terrorist-attack-in-kenya |url-status=live }}</ref>

Abdullahi Halakhe, a researcher with the Kenyan [[Amnesty International]], suggested that the attack was not so much a reflection of Al-Shabaab's strength, but instead of the Kenyan government's incompetence. He also noted that the militant group was probably at its weakest point since 2006.<ref name = Times>Higgins, Abigail and Starkey. Jerome (6 April 2015) [http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/africa/article4403533.ece Kenya bombs Somalia to avenge campus massacre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406220247/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/africa/article4403533.ece |date=6 April 2015 }} The Times, (may require a subscription), Retrieved 6 April 2015</ref>

A Kenyan social media campaign on [[Twitter]] encouraged the use of the hashtag #147notjustanumber to humanize the victims, along with photos and names of those who had died in the attack. In an effort to make sure each student was honoured, a public [[Google Documents|Google document]] was also created.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |title=#147notjustanumber: humanising the victims of Kenya's Garissa attack |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/07/147notjustanumber-kenya-garissa-attack-al-shabab |access-date=7 April 2015 |agency=Guardian |archive-date=7 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407234430/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/07/147notjustanumber-kenya-garissa-attack-al-shabab |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Aftermath==
Nightly curfews from 18:30 to 6:30 were imposed until 16 April in [[Garissa County|Garissa]] and three other [[Counties of Kenya|counties]] ([[Wajir County|Wajir]], [[Mandera County|Mandera]] and [[Tana River County|Tana River]]) near the North Eastern Province's border with Somalia.<ref name=Reuters1 /><ref name=EastAfrican1 /> The chairman of the Garissa Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, Abdullahi Saalat, suggested that the Kenyan police were using the curfew as a pretext to harass residents, especially Muslims. He asserted that most Muslims had consequently chosen to remain in their houses. The coordinator for the Northern Forum for Democracy, Khalif Farah, likewise argued that the curfew would ultimately not help strengthen security because similar curfews that had been imposed in the past were ineffectual. He also suggested that the [[Kenya Police]] itself was the source of much of the insecurity, and indicated that rogue police officers had begun rounding up youth and were seeking [[Bribery|bribes]] of {{shilingi|50}} and upwards for their release.<ref name="Ggcapoh">{{cite news |title=Garissa cleric accuses police of harassment |url=http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=12656 |access-date=8 April 2015 |agency=Goobjoog |date=7 April 2015 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415220653/http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=12656 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Defence Cabinet Secretary [[Raychelle Omamo]] announced that the government would cover the funeral expenses, and that the families of the victims would be given {{shilingi|100,000}}. Education CS [[Jacob Kaimenyi]] also indicated that the university had been closed indefinitely, and that the students who had survived the shooting did not wish to return.<ref name="Gfapsfta">{{cite news |title=Govt freezes accounts of people suspected to be funding terrorist activities |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/news/-/1056/2679382/-/view/printVersion/-/pe37qu/-/index.html |access-date=8 April 2015 |agency=Daily Nation |date=8 April 2015 |archive-date=21 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921150438/http://www.nation.co.ke/news/-/1056/2679382/-/view/printVersion/-/pe37qu/-/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Kenyan authorities published a gazette notice listing Al-Shabaab and the [[Mombasa Republican Council]] separatist group as two of several terrorist organizations with operations in Kenya.<ref name="Gfapsfta"/> The [[Central Bank of Kenya]] also reportedly suspended the licenses of 13 Somali-owned money transfer companies. An owner of one of these firms indicated that the companies were not suspended, but instead had had their licenses revoked without explanation.<ref name="Ksdsrffa">{{cite news |title=Kenya shuts down Somali remittance firms, freezes accounts |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/kenya-shuts-down-somali/1772714.html |access-date=8 April 2015 |agency=Reuters |date=8 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414035833/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/kenya-shuts-down-somali/1772714.html |archive-date=14 April 2015}}</ref> Additionally, the Kenyan government froze the bank accounts of 86 individuals and entities it alleged were associated with Al-Shabaab.<ref name="Gfapsfta"/> The Kenyan government also called for the closure of the nearby [[Dadaab]] refugee camps, for fear that Al-Shabaab was using it as recruiting grounds for new members. Their initial three month ultimatum was later relaxed, and the repatriation of refugees is currently voluntary, not enforced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kenya loses patience over Dadaab refugee camp housing displaced Somalis |url=http://hiiraan.com/news4/2015/May/99404/kenya_loses_patience_over_dadaab_refugee_camp_housing_displaced_somalis.aspx |website=hiiraan.com |access-date=2015-11-02 |archive-date=24 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124140815/http://hiiraan.com/news4/2015/May/99404/kenya_loses_patience_over_dadaab_refugee_camp_housing_displaced_somalis.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ISS Africa {{!}} The future of the world's largest refugee camp |url=https://www.issafrica.org/pscreport/on-the-agenda/the-future-of-the-worlds-largest-refugee-camp |website=ISS Africa |access-date=2015-11-02}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Former Prime Minister of Kenya [[Raila Odinga]], former Kenyan Minister of Trade [[Moses Wetangula]], and other members of the [[Coalition for Reforms and Democracy]] (CORD) called for an immediate withdrawal of Kenyan troops from Somalia. Wetangula also recommended that the Kenyan government cut its military budget in half, and reallocate the slashed funds toward strengthening internal security. Additionally, Odinga accused Kenyan President [[Uhuru Kenyatta]] of conceitedness for having dismissed intelligence alerts of potential attacks issued by foreign nations.<ref name="Posl"/>

Ten days after the shootings, an explosion of a power transformer outside the student hostel at the [[University of Nairobi]] Kikuyu Campus sent pupils panicking in fear of another attack. Some students jumped out of windows, and the ensuing stampede left one student dead as he jumped from the 5th floor of the Kimberly hostel. Around 150 pupils sustained minor injuries, and 20 individuals received treatment at the hospital. It was later established that the blast had been caused by an ordinary electrical fault.<ref name="Saku">{{cite news |title=Deadly stampede at Kenya university after power cable explosion sparks fears of terror attack |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-13/stampede-at-kenya-university-kills-one2c-injures-more-than-100/6387224 |access-date=14 April 2015 |agency=AFP |date=13 April 2015 |archive-date=14 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414233453/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-13/stampede-at-kenya-university-kills-one2c-injures-more-than-100/6387224 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Over the following weeks, 96 of the 150 primary and secondary schools in [[Garissa County]] closed over security fears, as many teachers have refused to return to work. Primary schools have been particularly badly affected by these closures.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.voanews.com/content/kenya-charges-5-men-in-garissa-university-attack/2807411.html |title=Kenya Charges 5 in Garissa University Attack |date=4 June 2015 |work=[[Voice of America]] |publisher=[[Reuters]] |access-date=1 July 2015 |archive-date=11 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811012952/http://www.voanews.com/content/kenya-charges-5-men-in-garissa-university-attack/2807411.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2019, three Islamist militants, Kenyan citizens Mohammed Ali Abikar and Hassan Edin Hassan and Tanzanian citizen Rashid Charles Mberesero, were convicted for their role in the attack. Abikar and Hassan received 41-year prison sentences while Mberesero was sentenced to life in prison.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-07-03 |title=Garissa University attack: Tanzanian and Kenyans get long sentences |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48859937 |access-date=2021-07-28 |archive-date=3 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703210039/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48859937 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 27, 2020, Rashid Charles Mberesero committed suicide at Kenya's highest security prison.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Garissa University terror attack convict dies by suicide |url=https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/garissa-university-terror-attack-convict-dies-by-suicide |access-date=2021-05-05 |website=Nairobi News |date=30 November 2020 |language=en-US |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514043324/https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/garissa-university-terror-attack-convict-dies-by-suicide |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2021, Abikar along with two other terrorists escaped from Kenya's highest security Prison Kamiti. They were later rearrested.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Terrorist involved in killing 148 students, 2 others escape prison in Kenya |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/terrorist-involved-in-killing-148-students-2-others-escape-prison-in-kenya/2421777 |access-date=2021-11-15 |archive-date=15 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115221317/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/terrorist-involved-in-killing-148-students-2-others-escape-prison-in-kenya/2421777 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
<!-- PLEASE DO NOT LIST INDIVIDUAL EVENTS IF COVERED BY LISTS. THERE ARE TOO MANY. MOST IMMEDIATELY RELEVANT LINKS GO AT THE TOP. -->
*[[Terrorism in Kenya]]
*[[List of hostage crises]]
*[[List of Islamist terrorist attacks]]
*[[Garissa Massacre]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Al-Qaeda}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Garissa University College attack}}
[[Category:Al-Shabaab (militant group) attacks]]
[[Category:Building bombings in Kenya]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Kenya]]
[[Category:Education in Kenya]]
[[Category:Garissa]]
[[Category:Garissa University College]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in Kenya]]
[[Category:Mass murder in 2015]]
[[Category:Mass shootings in Africa]]
[[Category:Massacres in Kenya]]
[[Category:School bombings in Africa]]
[[Category:School massacres in Africa]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Africa in 2015]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Kenya]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2015]]
[[Category:April 2015 events in Africa]]
[[Category:April 2015 crimes in Africa]]
[[Category:2015 murders in Kenya]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Kenya in the 2010s]]
[[Category:University and college shootings]]