News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

World News

Kenyan Catholic leaders praise the Kenyan spirit during hostage crisis

A UK-based Kenyan pastor is praying for his friend who is recovering in hospital after being shot during the terrorist ambush at a Nairobi upmarket shopping centre.

More than 60 people - including an eight year-old girl - have been confirmed dead so far in the Westgate mall attack.

The Government says it's working hard to ascertain whether any more citizens were involved in the incident. More heavy gunfire has been heard coming from the centre on the fourth day of the siege. The Somali terror goup al-Shabaab claims its militants are still holding hostages inside the complex. According to twitter messages - thought to be posted by the rebel group - the Islamist fighters are "holding their ground."

Revd Edwin Kibathi from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa works with UK based Kenyans. He told Premier's Des Busteed during the News Hour he's organising a prayer service tonight for all those caught up in the hostage crisis:

Kenya's Catholic leaders are praising "the Kenyan spirit", and also security officers for their service, citizens for donations of blood, and all those who are helping to save lives. A statement said it is a time of great pain and sorrow for all Kenyans as "the innocent people brutally lose their lives". The church statement was signed by Bishop Philip Anyolo of Homa Bay, Kenya, vice president of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops. Meanwhile, Kenya's Foreign Minister said "two or three" Americans and a British woman were among the attackers. It's thought she may be Samantha Lewthwaite, the widow of 7/7 bomber Jermaine Lindsay, who's already wanted by Kenyan police on terror charges.

In an interview with US television, Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya stated the Briton was a woman who had "done this many times before".

She also said the americans were 18 or 19 years old, of Somali or Arab origin, and lived "in Minnesota and one other place". Ms Mohamed appeared to contradict earlier comments from Kenya's Interior Minister, who suggested that all the attackers were men, though some may have been dressed as women. Meanwhile, more details have been emerging in the wake of the massacre including reports that a four-year-old British boy caught up in the massacre showed astonishing bravery by confronting a terrorist who ended up begging for his forgiveness. It's been reported Elliot Prior, from Windsor, Berkshire, told one of the gunmen that he was a 'very bad man' as he protected his mother, Amber, who had been shot in the leg, and six-year-old sister Amelie.

The attacker is believed to have taken pity on the family and bizarrely handed the children chocolate before telling them: 'please forgive me, we are not monsters'. Al-shabab militants have now said they carried out the attack in "retribution" for Kenya's efforts to help the Somali government.  Kenyan troops are part of the African Union force in the country. The group has said it wants to discourage the Kenyan public from supporting the government and its continued presence in Somalia.

Extremists from Somalia are threatening further terrorist attacks, if Kenyan troops aren't withdrawn from their country immediately.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate