TheCable

Two days after Somali-based militant group, Al-shabaab, killed an estimated 147 students in Garissa University College in north eastern Kenya, the sect has warned of more attacks in the country.

Accusing the Kenyan government of perpetrating atrocities against Muslims in East Africa, Al-shabaab told the government to start digging graves ahead of its next operation.

“Our message will be written to you not with words, but the blood of your people. Dig their graves and prepare their coffins,” read a statement issued by the group’s press office.

“No amount of precaution or safety measures will be able to guarantee your safety, thwart another attack or prevent another bloodbath from occurring in your cities.

“Do not dream of security in your lands until security becomes a reality in the Muslims lands, including the North Eastern Province and coast until all your forces withdraw from all Muslim lands.

“We will, by the permission of Allah, stop at nothing to avenge the death of our Muslim brothers until your government ceases its oppression and until muslim lands are liberated from Kenyan occupation.”

President Uhuru Kenyatta had urged for calm, directing the police to recruit more personnel in order to boost security.

“I use this opportunity to urge Kenyans to stay calm as we resolve this matter and to provide the authorities with any information that they may have regarding the threat to our security,” he said in a nationwide broadcast on Thursday.

“I also assure the nation that my government has also undertaken adequate deployment of the affected and is fully seized of the situation.

“This is a moment for everyone throughout the country to be vigilant as we confront and defeat our enemies.

“I also use this moment to direct the inspector of police to take urgent steps and ensure that the 10,000 recruits whose enrolment is pending promptly report for training at the Kenyan police college. We as a country have suffered unnecessarily from shortage of security personnel Kenya badly needs additional officers and I will not keep the nation waiting.

Some of the deceased are yet to be buried as their family members have still not recovered from the shock of the incident.

Kenya’s interior ministry said five suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.