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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 eastern 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 sustainability projects for believers who have been ostracized because of their faith. Our Bible distribution efforts focus on providing Bibles to children and those who speak minority dialects. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for believers who are targeted by a terrorist group in northeastern Kenya.
- Pray for a Somali Christian family who returned to their community to share the gospel.
- Pray for front-line workers in northern Kenya who are under continual threat of attack.
- Pray for Pastor Galgalo, and pray that God will raise up more full-time ministry workers.
- Pray for Abdiwelli's widow and sons as they learn to overcome fear and forgive his killers.