In Katale, Mr. Philip Okumu was buried in his father’s farm in Kwanza during a tear-filled service. His father, Okumu Biketi remembered him as “a young man who worked hard in school and wanted to help students in Arabia Secondary School succeed and advance to university. He was the most disciplined child in my family. I have lost a dear son.”
The service was conducted by the pastor of the local Baptist church that Philip attended. He said, “I urged the believers to keep praying for all brethren that are persecuted for the Gospel. We also challenge the government of Kenya to protect the lives of the citizens that work and live in terror zone areas.”
The murder of the two non-local teachers comes during a trend of violent persecution against Christians in northeastern Kenya where Somali al-Shabaab fighters collaborate with local Muslims to execute followers of Christ. Last year, three non-local Christian teachers of Qarsa Primary School, Wajir East were killed in a similar attack. These continued attacks have caused many Christians to flee from the countries that border Somalia. We must continue to pray for those faithful who are trying to provide for their families or spread the Gospel in these hostile areas. We must also pray for the families of those who have been martyred for their faith in Christ.
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