01/29/2019 Kenya (International Christian Concern) – For years, Kenya has suffered at the hands of al-Shabaab, a terrorist group based out of Somalia. These Somali militants would cross the border into Kenya, and murder Christians who are riding buses, at schools, or in their own homes. This threat from across the border was what the Kenyan government had to closely watch in order to be able to stop attacks.

In recent years however, these attacks have increasingly come from within Kenya’s own population. As al-Shabaab has been able to spread it ideology to many people in Eastern Africa, Kenyan born citizens are now starting to conduct the attacks on their own people. This year, the dusitd2 Hotel was attacked in Nairobi. During the attack, gunmen and a suicide bomber killed at least 21 people. Most of those involved in the attack were Kenyan citizens. The suicide bomber himself was born and raised in Mombasa, and was radicalized by al-Shabaab.

This rise in homegrown terror has long been a desire of the terror group. They desire to see a Caliphate built in East Africa that would follow their very extreme and violent ideals. The Kenyan government is doing its best to protect its citizens, but this group has proved resourceful in their deadly goals. We pray that Kenya is able to remain safe and that they are able to combat the extremism that is growing within their own people.

For interviews with Nathan Johnson, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected]