The group raided the Garissa University campus shortly after 5am local time, overwhelming guards and murdering people they suspected of being a Christian. Tonight, the death toll had risen to 147 and the siege ended, according to the country's disaster response agency.
A total of 79 were injured and 587 were led to safety. Kenyan security officials at the scene said dozens of hostages were freed and four of the gunmen were killed.
The government says troops have killed two attackers but fighting is ongoing. Over 500 students are unaccounted for, but the number of hostages is unclear.
Al-Shabab, a Somali militant group linked to al-Qaeda, said it was holding Christians hostage and freeing Muslims.
Hostages from the two groups had been separated, and 15 of the Muslims had already been released, a spokesman for al-Shabab told the BBC.
Gunfire could be heard at the university, as the interior ministry said forces were "intensifying" the rescue operation.
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