ICC Note: Tensions between Muslims and Christians along Kenya’s coast have have historically remained hidden beneath the surface of the region’s mixed culture, with antagonism only surfacing at infrequent intervals. However recent events have reignited these tensions after a radical Imam  with suspected al-Shabaab ties was found dead two weeks ago. Since then, a Christian church has been burned and two pastors assassinated. Despite the historical precedent for cyclic retribution between the two major religious groups, some say that the situation now is different from past feuding. A group of Christian leaders suggests that the growing popularity of evangelical Christianity in the Muslim-majority has triggered an effort by Islamists to intimidate Christians and suppress religious freedom.
10/23/2013 Kenya (The Standard) – Christian leaders in Mombasa now claim that freedom of religion is under attack in the region following the near-simultaneous killings of two evangelical pastors in Kilifi and Mombasa.
A statement issued by a group of influential evangelical Christian leaders Monday condemned what they described as senseless killings and asked the Government to uphold the constitutional right to assemble and worship…
Pastor Abarijah said there is a pattern to recent attacks on churches and pastors in the region, making them believe that the Church is under attack.
“Up until now, we think the Church is being targeted. It started with the October 11 attack on the Salvation Army in Majengo and now two priests have been shot in unclear circumstances. There is a possibility that the church is a target,” Bishop Kinogah said.
Arati urged believers not to be cowed into abandoning their places of worship and urged the Government to ensure security in the area.
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