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Kenya: Six Christians killed in Islamic terror attack; “please pray”

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Six Christians were murdered in Kenya during a terrorist attack by al-Shabaab Islamic militants in the early hours of January 3, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Affiliated with Al Qaeda, the Somali-based al-Shabaab group has now carried out four new-year terror attacks in Kenya since 2016.

Monday’s attack took place in the Christian village of Widhu in Kenya’s Lamu West, ICC reports. In a statement to ICC, Pastor Stephen Sila of a local church in Majembeni described the scene after he was called there by parishioners living in Widhu. “It is an ugly sight of people’s bodies lying dead and houses smoking with fire,” Pastor Sila said. This is undeniably an awful terrorist attack.”

“I counted seven houses that were torched down, four bodies of people burnt beyond recognition inside the houses,” Pastor Sila added. “A body shot dead right outside a burnt house and another beheaded body next to it. Other villagers escaped into the dark and the police are still looking for them.”

Lamu County police has said in a statement that law enforcement officers are investigating the attack and are in pursuit of the terrorists, ICC reports.

A church leader who oversees Lamu West Africa Inland Churches told ICC that believers are vulnerable to continued attack. “The enemy is still roaming free within our region,” the leader said. “We call upon the government to heighten its commitment to protecting the people of this great nation of Kenya. We also ask the global body of believers to join hands with us in prayer and material support for the affected families.”