14 killed and hostages taken as masked gunmen storm Kenyan university

An “unknown number of student hostages” have been taken by masked terrorists who have killed at least 14 people after storming a university in northeastern Kenya. Two police officers are among the dead following heavy gunfire and explosions in a campus building at Garissa University. At least 29 others have gunshot wounds. Four of these are critical. Somalia’s al Shabaab militant group have claimed responsibility. The Red Cross said “50 students have been safely freed” - but an “unknown” number were being held by the attackers.

The gunmen shot indiscriminately while inside the university compound.

Kenya Police Chief Joseph Boinet

A policeman at the scene claimed there were “many” hostages as “the college was in session”. Some students were seen fleeing campus buildings as police arrived. A gunfight between security services and the perpetrators lasted several hours, according to the Red Cross. The area has been sealed off and the army called in to try and “flush out” the attackers. The National Disaster Operations Center said on Twitter that students have been evacuated from three of four dorms. The gunmen have been cornered in the other.

Africa Garissa