Suspected members of the Islamic radical group, Al-Shabaab, attacked two churches and killed 17 Christians in Garissa, Kenya, on Sunday.
The attacks took place during Sunday morning worship services.
“Many people were injured and rushed to Garissa Provincial hospital. More people might die as they undergo treatment,” says Ibrahim Magunyi, pastor of the East Africa Pentecostal Church.
The Islamists killed two policemen guarding the African Inland Church before entering the church. Then they threw grenades at the Christian worshippers and shot at them, killing 15 members of the church, according to a report from International Christian Concern (ICC). In an apparently coordinated attack, the Islamists also threw grenades at the town’s Roman Catholic Church.
“We have written previously of Al-Shabaab’s infiltration of Kenya and are extremely saddened by these killings of the Christian worshippers. The actions of the Islamists show their complete disregard for human life,” says Jonathan Racho, ICC’s regional manager for Africa.
“We urge Kenyan authorities to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Kenyan authorities must understand that they are sitting on a powder keg—especially in Eastleigh and in towns near the border with Somalia—and go after Al-Shabaab or all their citizens, not just Christians will be subject to attacks.”
