Garissa University College Massacre (2015)

On 2 April 2015, Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya was rocked by a horrific terror attack. At around 5:30 a.m., four masked gunmen armed with AK‑47s and explosive belts stormed the campus, killing two unarmed guards at the gate. Over the course of a 15‑hour siege, they shot indiscriminately, separating Christians from Muslims and executing those who identified as non-Muslim. By the time Kenyan security forces ended the attack, 148 people were confirmed dead and at least 79 wounded. All four assailants were killed in the counter‑operation. Wikipedia+2Al Jazeera+2
The tragedy quickly drew comparisons to other major terrorist incidents in the country, marking it among the deadliest in Kenya’s history. The attackers, who later claimed affiliation with Al‑Shabaab, said the massacre was in retaliation for Kenya’s military involvement in Somalia and expressed anti-Christian sentiment. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2 They reportedly released Muslim students while holding Christian students hostage, a heart‑stopping act of sectarian violence. The Guardian+1 During the siege, security forces surrounded the dormitory where the gunmen were holed up, and amid heavy gunfire and explosions they eventually stormed the building in the evening. Al Jazeera One young survivor, Cynthia Cheroitich, later revealed she hid in a cupboard for 48 hours before being rescued. The Guardian
The impact of the attack reverberated across Kenya. Families and communities mourned the massive loss of life, while the government vowed a strong response: President Uhuru Kenyatta condemned the mindless slaughter and launched military airstrikes against Al‑Shabaab positions in Somalia. Al Jazeera A wave of solidarity also swept the nation, with Kenyans using the hashtag #147NotJustaNumber to humanise the victims and share stories of the young lives lost. TIME Human rights groups raised alarm over how the attackers distinguished victims based on religion, and criticised the security lapses that allowed such carnage. Human Rights Watch
In the aftermath, Garissa University College would eventually reopen under tight security. The Guardian But memories of the attack continue to shape Kenya’s national conversation on terrorism, security, and interfaith relations. As Al‑Shabaab hinted at further attacks in the country, authorities have faced mounting pressure to reinforce campus protection, improve intelligence gathering, and address underlying tensions. Al Jazeera The Garissa massacre remains a grim reminder of the stakes — and the urgent need for vigilance and unity in the face of extremism.