Grenade attack on Sunday school


Injured Kenyans from a previous grenade attack
Photo: Compass Direct News

A nine-year-old boy was killed and at least three other children were seriously injured in a grenade attack on a Sunday school in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 30.

Suspected Islamist militants attacked the St. Polycarp's Church building during a worship service for children aged six to 10. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion then seeing people running for their lives. A total of nine children were hospitalized.

Police blamed sympathizers of al Shabab extremists in neighbouring Somalia, angered by Kenya's role in UN-backed efforts to oust the group. The previous day, al Shabab was driven from Kismayo, its last urban stronghold in Somalia. St. Polycarp's is near Eastleigh, a district of Nairobi popularly known as "Little Mogadishu" due to its many Somali immigrants. Nairobi officials appealed for calm after youths reportedly attacked a nearby mosque and homes in apparent retaliation for the grenade attack.

Ask the Lord to strengthen and comfort the injured and the grieving. Pray that the Lord will give all those affected by the violence the grace to forgive their attackers. Ask the Lord to give wisdom to authorities in Kenya and Somalia. Pray that the Lord will bring an end to al Shabab's activities and influence in Somalia and in bordering nations. Pray that Christians in Kenya will not retaliate in anger, but will show Christ-like love and forgiveness to their persecutors.

  • 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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