Eighteen Confirmed Dead in Twin Church Attacks in Kenya

Open Doors USA | Updated: Jul 04, 2012

Eighteen Confirmed Dead in Twin Church Attacks in Kenya

At least 18 people have died and 66 have been wounded in Kenya’s northeastern town of Garissa on Sunday when assailants burst into the Africa Inland Church (AIC) and Catholic church, shooting at worshippers with firearms and detonating grenades. Two policemen guarding the AIC church were among those killed. Four of the injured are in critical condition in Nairobi hospitals. Details are still emerging, but eyewitnesses told Open Doors in telephone interviews that the attackers approached the AIC church, shot the two policemen guarding the church at point-blank range, took their guns and started shooting at worshippers. As the church-goers realized what was going on, they tried to flee. Many were shot dead as they attempted to escape. The attackers threw at least four grenades into the church. At the Catholic church, the attackers apparently jumped over a fence and started shooting at people standing near the church. Three church members were killed before the attackers fled. “These brazen attacks on innocent Christian worshippers are horrific,” says Open Doors USA president/CEO Carl Moeller. “The area near the border of Somalia and Kenya is becoming a killing field as well as a place where many aid workers are being kidnapped. While attacks on churches in Nigeria have held our attention over the last few months, attacks on Christians have increased in the Somalia/Kenya border area. Please pray for the families of the victims.”



Eighteen Confirmed Dead in Twin Church Attacks in Kenya