Islamic extremists vow more attacks

Associated Press

GARISSA, Kenya

Somalia’s Islamic extremist group al-Shabab warned Saturday of more attacks in Kenya like the assault on Garissa University College that killed 148 people.

“Kenyan cities will run red with blood,” said al-Shabab, according to the SITE intelligence monitoring group.

The Islamic militants said the attack on Garissa college was in retaliation for killings carried out by Kenyan troops fighting the rebels in Somalia.

“No amount of precaution or safety measures will be able to guarantee your safety, thwart another attack or prevent another bloodbath,” said al-Shabab.

After the extremists’ threats, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta vowed to take harsh measures against the Islamic militants.

In a nationally televised address, Kenyatta said his administration “shall respond in the severest ways possible” to the Garissa attack, which occurred Thursday when four gunmen entered a campus and slaughtered students. The military moved in hours later, and the gunmen were killed.

“We will fight terrorism to the end,” said Kenyatta. “I guarantee that my administration shall respond in the fiercest way possible.”

Kenyatta said the country’s “security forces are pursuing the remaining accomplices. We will bring all of them to justice. ... We are also in active pursuit of the mastermind [of the Garissa attack] and have placed a reward for his capture,” said Kenyatta, who declared three days of national mourning.

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the Garissa attack, a Kenyan official said.

Kenyan security agencies arrested three people trying to cross into Somalia, said Interior Ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka in a Twitter post. He said the three are associates of Mohamed Mohamud, also known as Dulyadin Gamadhere, a former teacher at a Kenyan Madrassa Islamic school who authorities say coordinated the Garissa attack. Kenyan authorities have put a $220,000 bounty for information leading to Gamadhere’s arrest.