NAIROBI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenyans vowed to defeat terrorists in the wake of a deadly attack in Nairobi by Somali-militant group al-Shabab, with leaders and citizens noting that the country would not cow to terrorists.

A message of unity and courage reverberated across the East African nation on Wednesday with citizens coming together to support victims of the terror attack and condemn the terrorists and their activities.

Some Kenyans composed poems and prayers while others wore attires emblazoned with the national flag to symbolize unity and defiance against terrorism.

Most importantly, however, dozens of citizens flocked various hospitals and special centers set up by the Kenya Red Cross to donate blood for the victims of attacks.

At the Bomb Blast Memorial Park in Nairobi, where a United States embassy once stood before it was bombed in 1997, the humanitarian agency had set up tents and several Kenyans queued to donate blood as they responded to its appeal on Wednesday morning.

The humanitarian agency further set up blood donation centers in the lakeside city of Kisumu and the coastal town of Mombasa.

President Uhuru Kenyatta in an address to the nation revealed that 14 civilians had been killed and hundreds rescued in the attack at DusitD2 Hotel complex located on 14 Riverside Drive in the district of Westlands in Nairobi.

He further declared that all the terrorists had been killed and security agencies had secured the building, news that lit up Kenyans.

"Despite the attacks, we will not be cowed and our gallant soldiers should not leave Somalia. We should work harder to defeat the criminals both here in the country and in their hideouts in Somalia," Peter Kanungi, wearing a Kenyan flag bandana, said at the Bomb Blast Memorial Park.

The message was echoed on social media platforms in the East African nation, with Kenyans vowing that "we shall defeat terrorists."

"We must come out of our houses with our heads high. We must carry our flags in our hands, in our cars and drape buildings in them to show the cowardly terrorists that we fear no evil," Mutula Kilonzo Junior, the senator of Makueni County, wrote on his Twitter account.

Makau Mutua, a professor of law, noted that Kenya should not relent in its quest to attack the criminals.

"Terrorists understand only one language - force. That's how Kenya must deal with the al-Shabab and all its elements within and outside Kenya," he said on Twitter.

Gabriel Mutiso, a university student, said that by uniting as the country grieves, Kenyans would show terrorists that they would not succumb to their acts.

Amid the show of solidarity in the East African nation, Kenyans leaders and citizens lauded the security forces for responding to the siege professionally and swiftly to minimize the casualties and rescue those who had been trapped.

Some armed citizens, similarly, were also celebrated as they were among the first responders to the attack and helped to save lives.

"Bravo to our security officers who have put their lives in danger to rescue those in distress," said Aden Duale, the majority leader in the National Assembly of Kenya.

Opposition leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, similarly, lauded the security officers for doing all they can to end the siege that lasted 18 hours. Enditem

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