Christians in Kenya mourn after one of the many violent attacks carried out by Muslim terrorists.
In just the latest tragic case of Christian persecution in African nations, three Christian men were stoned to death a Muslim Mob in Kenya. The murders were retaliation for the unrelated deaths of 3 Islamic terrorists and served as a stark reminder of how dangerous it is to claim the name of Jesus Christ in many countries all over the world.
An Attack Based On Hate
Despite its routine violence Kenya only ranks #32 on the World Watch List. (source).
According to reports:
“On September 22, 2018, a family in western Kenya laid one of their kin to rest after he and two other men were attacked by a Muslim mob and stoned to death. Fredrick Mukanda Bahati was a mason in Elwak, Mandera, a town close to the Kenya-Somalia border. He worked in Elwak for six months before his death.
The Muslim residents of Elwak were engaging the police after three suspected al-Shabaab militants were found killed outside of town. In retaliation, the irate protesters turned their anger toward three non-local Christians at the construction site.
A witness, who requested to remain anonymous, told International Christian Concern (ICC), “Fredrick was on top of a new house he was contracted to build. His two assistants were on the ground mixing mortar when the mob arrived in [a] hurry, chanting takbir, takbir, takbir. From a distance, I saw the men hurling construction stones towards Fredrick and his coworkers.”
He continued, “The three managed to flee into a nearby hotel for safety, although they had been badly injured. The Muslims relentlessly followed them up and stoned them to death.” (source).
Al Shabaab terrorists have wrought havoc in Somalia and the Kenyan border.
Despite being a majority-Christian nation, Kenya is no stranger to violence against Christians. The country is ranked #32 on Christian Advocacy Group Open Doors’ World Watchlist which tracks persecution against the Christian globally. According to Open Doors:
“Most of the persecution of Kenya’s Christians comes from the Islamic militant group Al-Shabaab. The group, based in neighboring Somalia, has conducted numerous attacks targeting Christians in Kenya, a majority-Christian country. Within Kenya itself, some of the country’s tribal leaders are opposed to Christianity, viewing it as a threat. The Kenyan government enforces secularism that is at times restrictive for churches and Christian believers, pressuring them to abandon their beliefs. Rampant corruption in the country results in persecution that goes unpunished or isn’t punished appropriately.” (source).
The bloodiest attack in Kenya occurred in 2015 when Muslim terrorists from Al-Shabaab stormed the campus of Garissa University, opening fire on a Christian prayer group and roving dorm to dorm singling out believers in Jesus Christ for execution – killing 147 in total.
Here is a video that marked the first year anniversary of the slaughter at Garissa University:
Christian Persecution Worldwide – Prophesied In Scripture
Despite putting their own lives at risk, Christians in Kenya continue to worship God.
The Lord Jesus Christ warned all believers that they would suffer persecution in one form or fashion:
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” – John 15:18-21
It is because of the darkness of sin and removal of the Gospel from lands such as Somalia, that terror groups form and wreak havoc in Eastern Africa and all over the world. Pray for the brothers and sisters in the Kenya-Somali border that The Lord will protect them from Islamic terror. Pray that their faith will remain strong in the face of violence and even death.
And for those Christians who do not live in restricted nations pray that we can have the same courage, boldness and trust in God to endure whatever minor suffering we must bear in Christ’s name. As the entire world moves farther from God, the Bible and the Gospel, the challenges against believers everywhere will only increase. Continue trust in God in the face of a changing society and share the light of the Gospel – that all people, whether Muslim, Buddhist or Atheist, can be saved when they trust in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. God loves all the Muslims in Kenya and Somalia and His will is that they repent and believe upon the True Savior. May God continue to let His light shine in Kenya and every nation of the world.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12
