Garissa (Kenya): An Easter service in Garissa’s main church takes place under the shadow of Thursday’s violence. The massacre of almost 150 people in this Kenyan town by Islamist gunmen has put the country’s Christian population on edge – prompting churches to hire armed guards.
Armed Guards have been deployed across Church for Easter
As worshippers inside sing and pray, soldiers keep a close watch outside – even the youngest of worshippers are searched before being let inside the church.
Bishop Joseph Alessandro says, “A bit of worry and fear is almost every day, because these attacks came as a surprise so you are not prepared for them and this gives a sense of fear and uneasiness.”
Easter Sunday also marks the start of a three-day mourning period in Kenya to remember the victims of Thursday’s carnage.
Some residents say they feel a sense of unease after the attacks, but find solace inside the church.
“Nowhere is safe, but here in church you can come, you be with God and then you just console yourself”, a local church member says.
Garissa’s churches were a target of Islamist violence in 2012.
This latest assault has further strained the once-cordial relations between Kenya’s Christian and Muslim communities.
Ventuno