Security Analyst Sheikh Irbard Ibrahim is calling for conscious outreach programmes in core Muslim communities in the country to promote the non-violent aspect of the Islamic religion.

In his view, such an exercise will help disabuse the minds of the Muslim youth on the violent portions of the religion.

“I think there is the need for outreach programmes to tell people what the religion really is; the non-violent aspect of the teachings of Islam,” the international relations expert told Starr News in an interview.

His comments come on the back of the recent Al-shabaab attacks on the Garissa University in east Kenya that resulted in the death of 148 people.

The militant group, which is based in neighbouring Somalia, has pledged a "long, gruesome war" against Kenya.

The group said its attacks were in retaliation for acts by Kenya's security forces, who are part of the African Union's mission in Somalia against al-Shabab.