Garissa bishops Paul Darmanin and Joseph Alessandro arrived in Malta from  Kenya this afternoon a few days a university attack by Islamist militants left 148 Christians dead.

The incident happened just up the road from where the two bishops live.

Mgr Darmanin said that throughout his term in Kenya, where he has been based for the past 34 years, the country made great strides forward but big problems of corruption persisted, including at government level.

Mgr Alessandro said the recent events highlighted by the media put the spotlight on the realities Kenya was facing and also showed the unity within the Catholic community.

He said that the incident had not disheartened the community and he could see this when parents took 28 babies to the Garissa Cathedral to be baptised on Easter Sunday.

Service that day, Mgr Alessandro said, was covered by international media amid tight security. Some of those who died would have been at the service.

Recalling the day of the attack, he said loud noises were heard at about 5.30am but many thought they were coming from the monkeys on the roof. But some time later they heard more sounds, like gunshots, and soon learnt what was going on.

The ordeal ended later that evening when the last three remaining gunmen blew themselves up.

The two bishops thanked the Pope for showing support and solidarity with Kenya during his Easter message on Sunday. They leave Malta on Sunday for a week of meetings with the Pope.