The tragic prediction by Australian intelligence services that a major terrorist attack was coming in Kenya has proved correct.
The British, US and Australian governments all warned their nationals to get out of Kenya unless they had essential reasons for staying last week.
At the time, the Kenyan government argued the Western terror alert was an overreaction and that security was improving in the country.
However, today (02/04/2015) Al-Shabaab militants raided the Garissa University near the border with Somalia, killing at least 15 people and injuring scores more with indiscriminate gunfire.
The terrorists are holding dozens of staff and students as hostages and police chief Joseph Boinet reports hundreds are still missing.
The official count shows only 250 out of more than 815 students on the roster are accounted for.
No surrender
Al-Shabaab has carried out terror attacks in Kenya for the past two years in retaliation for the Kenya military launching incursions in Somalia.
So far, almost 300 people have died – including many the notorious Westgate shopping mall attack in 2013.
Al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab issued a statement taking responsibility for the attack.
“Our forces are holding many Christians in the university compound,” he said. “All the Muslims were allowed to leave. Fighting is continuing and we will not surrender.”
Al-Shabaab has repeatedly separated Christians and Muslims when taking hostages in a bid to enflame feelings between the two communities in Kenya.
Security issues
Grace Kai, a student at Garissa’s teacher training college told reporters at the scene that an attack was expected.
“We had seen strangers who were suspected terrorists. Some were in the college. Our principle was worried so sent us home and closed the college, but the attack still came,” she said.
Only the day before the attack, the Kenyan Embassy in the USA was sending out social media messages telling tourists that Kenya was safe for tourists and that government travel warnings should not be heeded.
“Our view is the warnings about terror attacks are overstated and that tourists had no concerns visiting Kenya,” said an embassy spokesman before the attack.
President Kenyatta is due to address the nation about the attack and security fears later in the day.
