After Islamic extremists executed a gun and grenade attack on Christians, members of a church in northeastern Kenya are living in fear for their lives.
The attack occurred in the early hours on Thursday, and six people were killed, according to sources. The attackers are reportedly rebels from Somalia's Al-Shabaab group, and their primary targets include Christian migrant workers from the interiors of Kenya.
The group took responsibility for the attack, which took place at a residential compound in Mandera. A spokesperson for the militant group revealed that the attack was designed to drive away Christians from the area.
Morning Star News reports that aside from the six people who were killed, several others were wounded. Speaking to the online publication, one of the survivors narrated, "The loud grenade woke me up, and I heard one of the attackers saying the 'infidels' should leave the Muslim area of Mandera. There were loud cries for help as the attackers were shooting from all directions."
Another account of the incident was given by the pastor of an area church. Two of those who formed part of his congregation were among the six who were killed in the attack.
"Two of my church members were brutally murdered, and then their heads were chopped off," he stated. "The government needs to beef up security, especially in areas where non-locals who are mostly Christians reside, otherwise we are opting to leave the area for the sake of our lives."
This is not the first instance involving violence on Christians in Kenya. Earlier this year, Al Shabaab rebels raided a predominantly Christian area in coastal Kenya, and killed at least four Christians, one of whom they beheaded.
Prior to this attack, Al-Shabaab carried out a number of other attacks beginning from October 2011. According to the Open Doors' World Watch List, Kenya is the 16th among the top 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution.