Feature: Grief grips Kenya as terror attack dampens Easter mood

Grief and anxiety have gripped Kenya as the East African nation mourns the killing of at least 147 students by Al-Shabaab terrorists at Garissa University College on Thursday.

A somber mood has engulfed the country as the worst terror attack brings back memories of the 2013 Westgate Mall siege in Nairobi.

Kenyans have been shell-shocked after Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaiserry Thursday evening put the figure of those killed at 147 and the injured at 179.

The terror attack dampens Easter mood in the East African nation, with the general public, parents and students in institutions of higher learning being a worried lot.

"I don't know how many times I have called my daughter studying at Kenyatta University in Nairobi to know how she is faring on since news broke out of attack at Garissa college," said Frida Anjeche on Thursday evening.

Anjeche, as many parents in the East African nation, is a worried woman. On Tuesday afternoon, her daughter had called informing her of an incident at the institution which students had suspected to be a terror attack.

"She told me the incident happened in the library. A lift emitted electricity sparks accompanied by an ear-splitting noise. Some students got injured as they tried to flee. They had been asked to be vigilant as Al-Shabaab could attack an institution of higher learning," she recounted, noting that with the attack, her plans for Easter holiday have been ruined.

Similar warnings were issued to other universities in the capital, including United States International University and University of Nairobi.

"This attack has hit me hard as a parent. I cannot stop thinking about my daughter. They are currently sitting their end of the semester exam and I am praying the institution remains safe until she comes home," she said.

Similar sentiments were shared by other parents as they mourned the killing of the 147 defenseless students.

"What is there to celebrate about Easter?" posed Jane Kariuki, a mother of two primary school children. "The fact that the terrorists choose to attack defenseless students trying to better their lives saddens me. They can strike anywhere, including in primary schools. I still cannot come to terms with the attack," she said, adding that she will not go to any public place this Easter.

The Somali-based terrorists seem to have changed tactics to carry out attacks in the East Africa nation. They no longer plant bombs, but a trend has emerged where armed terrorists storm public places and shoot indiscriminately at defenseless people.

This tactic was used at Westgate Mall and has been repeated at churches in Mombasa and in those districts bordering Somalia. It was also used in Lamu where the terrorists stormed villages and shot dead over 70 people.

President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday led the nation in mourning victims of the Garissa college attacks and condoling with their families and those of the survivors.

"I extend condolences to the families of those who have perished in this attack. We continue to pray for quick recovery of the injured and assure citizens that the government will beef up security," said the president.

Kenyans have united in grief, with many using the social media to condemn the attack, condole with families of survivors and those killed and criticize the government for failing to protect them.

"To stop terrorists, we must stand against negligence, incompetence, greed and lawlessness undermining our ability to tight them," Patrick Gathara, a political commentator, wrote on his Twitter handle.

"With the massacre of innocent students, my Easter plans are ruined? It is time to reflect about what is eating up this country. Terrorists cannot continue killing us like flies," said Steve on his Facebook page. Endi