Christians Concerned of Imminent Attack

Al Shabaab - Photo: Open Doors
Photo: Open Doors USA

Al-Shabaab militants appear to have stepped up their campaign of violence in areas bordering Somalia -- and Christians in the city of Mandera are concerned that they could be the next target. "The Christians living in Mandera are living in great fear of an imminent attack," one church leader says. "We have to (decide) whether to continue with the Christian mission work or to leave the place. We cannot pretend that all is well."

The militants are suspected of involvement in a gun attack on quarry workers which took place in El Wak (about 170 kilometres from Mandera) on May 12th. Two people died, including a Christian named Dalama Otieno. It's believed the group was targeted because they were non-Muslims. Then just three days later, government official Dekow Abbey Sirat was shot dead at his home in Mandera County. Al-Shabaab admitted carrying out the latest attack.

Last October, the same terrorist group killed six Christians in a grenade and gun attack on a residential compound in Mandera. Previously, in 2014, the group had killed 38 non-Muslims at a quarry in nearby Kormey and shot dead 19 Christians after hijacking a bus near Mandera.

Ask God to protect, strengthen and reassure His people in the city of Mandera and the surrounding areas. Pray that as they look to Him, He will indeed be their refuge and fortress (Psalm 91:2). May the Holy Spirit empower them to not only stand firm in their faith, but to also continue faithfully building God's Kingdom within their nation. Last, but not least, intercede for the Al-Shabaab militants, that their plans of destruction will be thwarted and that they will renounce their acts of violence -- surrendering instead to the One who longs to rescue them from the enemy of their souls.

  • 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 News

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    al-Shabaab - Photo: Voice of America www.voanews.com
    Photo: Voice of America

    On February 23rd, an audio recording was released by al-Shabaab demanding that all non-local Christians leave three provinces in northeastern Kenya. In the 25-minute clip, a spokesman for the Somalia-based Islamic terrorists urged any ethnic Somalis in the area to evict non-Muslims. The message claimed that many Muslims in the area were unemployed, so they should be given the jobs held by the non-Muslims.

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    Pastor Abdul (surname withheld for security reasons) is a 30-year-old father of three. He serves as pastor to an underground church consisting of 30 former Muslims who, for safety, meet in small groups on varying days. He was on his way home after a prayer gathering on the outskirts of Garissa when several Somali Muslims attacked him. Most ethnic Somalis believe that all people of their nationality must adhere to Islam.

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Kenya: Fear and Faith After Church Attack
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