Grenade attack on church kills one


The Nairobi church that was damaged with grenades
Photo: Compass Direct News

A grenade explosion on April 29 at a church in Nairobi, Kenya, killed a 27-year-old university student and injured 16 people. Kelvin Walumba was killed after a man pretending to be a fellow worshipper threw three grenades as the service was concluding. Only one of the grenades exploded. A security guard said the assailant, who after running out into the street fired three pistol shots into the air, appeared to be of Somali origin.

Al Shabaab Islamic extremists from Somalia have embarked on a series of assaults in Kenya after the Kenyan military invaded Somali territory last autumn in an attempt to quell extremist attacks.

Church leaders said four members of the church are in critical condition: Leonida Mbogo, Julia Mumbi, Ezekiel Muthini, and Shalom Koronge. Leonida sustained serious injuries to her leg. A Sunday school teacher said one of her students, a boy identified only as Jessy, was receiving hospital treatment for injuries and is in stable condition.

Pray that God will bring comfort and peace to the family and friends of Kelvin. Pray for healing for those injured and all those who witnessed the attack. Pray too for the perpetrator. Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict him and bring him to repentance.

  • Country Information

    Kenya map & flagPopulation
    57,052,004 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Kikuyu (17.1), Luhya (14.3), Kalenjin (13.4), Luo (10.7), Kamba (9.8), Somali (5.8), Kisii (5.7), Mijikenda (5.2), Meru (4.2), Maasai (2.5), Turkana (2.1), other (9.2)

    Religions (%)
    Christian (85.5) (Protestant 33.4%, Catholic 20.6%, Evangelical 20.4% other 11.1%), Muslim (10.9), Other (1.8), None (1.6)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Leader
    President William Ruto (2022)

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in a new Supreme Court established pursuant to the new constitution

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Kenya

    Pray that Somali refugees within Kenya will be open to the gospel. Ask the Lord to encourage believers to be unified in heart and purpose as they serve converts from Islam. Pray that churches in the northeastern region will remain strong as they face Islamist attacks.

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Kenya: Fear and Faith After Church Attack
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