International
Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Five churches were set ablaze
in quick succession between January 21st and 26th 2021 in Otamba, Kisii
county, causing a lot of fear among residents. The first one torched was
St. Monica Church in the early hours of January 21st. The Worldwide
Church, Nyang’eni Seventh Day Adventist church and a Legio Maria church
followed on January 23rd and 24th. Two days later, the arsonists broke
into the Otamba Pentecostal Church compound and set it on fire leaving a
trail of destruction.
ICC spoke to Charles Mayara, the pastor of Worldwide Gospel church who is still coming to terms with the church attack. “This
was least expected. We are still in shock because we were not prepared
for it. We began the year well and asked the Lord to be with us. Things
have turned upside down and we are counting losses. We suspect that the
attacks are being carried out by a gang of people who feel disgruntled
by the stand taken by believers against the rape culture in this
community, drug abuse and radicalization among the youth, and early
marriages of school girls.”
Samuel Okello a pastor in Kisii
town, reiterated the same concerns, asking the security agents to offer
security to churches. He said, “We also know that apart from
radicalization and drug abuse the church is preaching against, many
young people have joined cults that hate the preaching of the gospel of
Jesus Christ. We urge the security apparatus to protect our churches
against such people that are used by the devil. The recent attacks
portray a form of persecution to believers because now they even fear
going to church.”
Ten suspects are in police custody and
investigations are ongoing. In a statement to a local newspaper, Father
Lawrence Nyaanga urged people “to extend an arm in helping to rebuild the churches and also buying new chairs, pulpits, Bibles and sound equipment.”
He added, “What
we thought could happen in the Coastal and the Northeastern regions is
here in Western with us. We ask for believers to join hands in prayer so
that this heinous act does not occur again.”
ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, Nathan Johnson, states, “Kenya,
a majority Christian nation, is often overlooked as a place where
Christians suffer for their faith. Despite this, Christians in Kenya
suffer at the hands of Islamic Extremists from Somalia on a regular
basis. This kind of attack is expected along the border of Somalia where
al-Shabaab is able to attack Christians easily. The worry is that
Islamic extremism is spreading further into Kenya and will cost many
more Christians their lives.”
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Alison Garcia, Communications Fellow
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
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