Garissa Incident: Al‑Shabaab Hostage Crisis and Terror Attack

In the early hours of 2 April 2015, four gunmen linked to the militant group al-Shabab stormed Garissa University College, located in northeastern Kenya, launching what would become one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on Kenyan soil. Armed with rifles and explosives, the attackers opened fire as students slept, reportedly separating those who identified as Christians and executing many. By the end of the day, at least 148 people had been killed and 79 wounded, making it the worst mass shooting in Kenya’s modern history. Wikipedia+2ABC+2
The siege began around 05:30 a.m. local time, when the attackers demolished the entrance gate with explosives before forcing their way into a dormitory. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2 Security forces encircled the building, and after hours of intense firefights—including the use of grenades and heavy weapons—they eventually stormed the compound. Al Jazeera+1 Four of the attackers were killed by a special police unit, with one even detonating a suicide vest. Wikipedia In accounts from survivors and witnesses, the attackers appeared to target Christians, reportedly letting some Muslims go free. The Guardian
The aftermath sparked broad outrage and soul-searching across Kenya. The government faced heavy criticism after officials admitted to ignoring credible intelligence that an attack could occur. The Guardian UNESCO condemned the assault as a deliberate attack on education and urged the Kenyan authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. UNESCO Meanwhile, al-Shabab claimed it was retaliating against Kenya’s military involvement in Somalia, threatening further violence and warning that more bloodshed was to come. Al Jazeera
In the years that followed, legal progress was made: in 2019, a Kenyan court handed down life imprisonment to one man and 41-year terms to two others for aiding the attackers. Al Jazeera The attack left deep scars—not only on survivors and the families of the victims but also on national consciousness. For many, the Garissa massacre remains a stark reminder of the fragile security environment in Kenya, and it has spurred ongoing calls for stronger campus protections, improved intelligence coordination, and sustained efforts to counter extremist ideologies.