ICC Note: The officer in charge of security in Kenya admitted that officers ignored intelligence leading up to the Garissa University College attack on April 2 that resulted in 148 deaths of mostly Christian students. Joseph Nkaisserry also said the operation was poorly coordinated. By the time police arrive on the scene the day of the attack, most everyone who would die that day had already been killed in the crisis that lasted 15 hours.
4/30/15 Garissa, Kenya (CNN) – Kenya’s interior minister has said security officers ignored intelligence reports prior to the attack on Garissa University College earlier this month.
Joseph Nkaisserry, who is in charge of security, also admitted that the response was poorly coordinated.
Militants from the Somali-based Islamist al-Shabab group killed 148 people during the day-long siege at the campus in the north-eastern town.
There has been much public criticism over the alleged security failings.
Last week, seven top policemen were suspended by Mr Nkaisserry following an initial inquiry into the security failings.
Universities had posted memos warning students of possible violence and the principal of Garissa University College is reported to have requested additional security at the campus, in vain.
Mr Nkaisserry made the comments before a parliamentary committee on security.
The security force’s delay in responding to the university attack was caused by poor co-ordination, he said.
The structural design of the campus had also hampered the rescue mission as the accommodation hostels were “like cells as the windows had grills”.
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