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KenyaHostile
Christian Persecution in Kenya
Overview:
Kenya is predominantly Christian, but several tribal groups in the north remain largely unreached, and much of the coastal region is predominantly Muslim. Additionally, in the region known as Greater Somalia in northeastern Kenya, 90 percent of the population is ethnically Somali and fervently Muslim. In these areas, Christian missionaries from other parts of Kenya and converts from Islam are often attacked and have been killed. There are some churches in these regions, but their activities are severely limited by the local communities. The Kenyan constitution grants every citizen freedom of religion, but local governments in resistant areas are led by Muslim officials who do little to protect the rights of believers.
Major Religion:
78 percent of Kenyans are Christians. However, parts of the country have a Muslim majority with significant Islamist activity and influence.
Persecutor:
Islamic extremists are most active in the north and east, and their activities extend to Nairobi in the south. In the coastal areas, community members and local governments also persecute Christians.
What It Means To Follow Christ In Kenya
Christians cannot openly discuss their faith in areas with a Somali majority or areas near the northern border without risk of losing their family, livelihood and standing in their community. There is a significant threat of violence against Christian converts in Somali-majority areas. In northeastern Kenya, the al-Shabab Islamic terrorist group attacks Christians, bombing churches and killing believers. In Muslim-majority coastal and northeastern areas, Christians are persecuted by local governments and rejected by their families and communities.
Access To Bibles
Bibles are available, but they are hard to find in the Muslim-majority areas and in some dialects. Give Bibles
VOM Work
VOM supports the widows of Christian martyrs, pastors and evangelists working in hostile areas and also supports sustainability projects for believers who have been ostracized because of their faith. VOM serves many individuals and families from a Muslim background who have been disowned and persecuted by their family or community after converting to Christianity. Our Bible distribution efforts focus on providing Bibles to children and those who speak minority dialects. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Prayer Requests:
- Using John 14:27 as a guide, pray that Christians in Muslim-majority regions will experience the peace of Christ.
- Thank God for the distribution of 14,000 Bibles in a remote area with a strong Muslim influence.
- Pray for the protection of pastors and Christian families in Muslim-majority areas near the Somali border.
- Pray that Christians who have lost family members in Islamist attacks will be comforted by the Holy Spirit.
- Pray that front-line workers will be able to deliver more print and audio Bibles to remote parts of Kenya.