Gunmen have attacked a university in northeastern Kenya, killing at least two people and wounding 30 others. Students who escaped the attack say they believe others are still trapped inside. Somali militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the assault.

A spokesman for the militant group told Reuters news service that its fighters are holding Christian hostages inside the university residence, but have released all the Muslims. Another spokesman told the French news agency that the group’s mission is to “kill those who are against the Shabab.”

A statement from Kenya’s police chief said the attackers fired “indiscriminately” inside the Garissa University College campus and gained entry into the students’ hostels after being engaged by security officers. 

Kenya Defense Forces have responded to the attack and have been conducting operations to secure the campus.

Kenya’s Red Cross says the majority of the casualties have gunshot wounds.

First-year student Mercy Chebet, speaking to VOA, said she was sleeping in her room when she was awoken by the sound of gunfire at about five in the morning.

“It started in the classes and we were in the hostels sleeping, so when we heard the bullets we just moved out of the hostels and ran to the field,” said Chebet.

Chebet said the gunmen then moved into the dormitories and began firing. She said she spoke by phone to some friends still inside.

“They’re inside they are being held hostage and the policemen are outside. I don’t know what will happen next,” she said.

The University of Nairobi warned its students last week that the Somali militant group al-Shabab was planning attacks on Kenyan institutions, including a “major university.” In an email obtained by VOA with the subject “TERROR THREAT” dated March 26, that university’s security office said information about a possible attack was “being processed by the relevant government agencies.”

It is not clear yet that the Garissa University received or posted the same warning.

The town of Garissa in northeastern Kenya is about 200 kilometers from the border with Somalia and has, in recent years, been the site of sporadic gun and grenade attacks blamed on Somali militant group al-Shabab. The group has targeted Kenya in retribution for Kenya sending its troops to Somalia.
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