Church compound attack in Kenya kills 2, wounds 3

GARISSA, Kenya — Suspected Islamic extremists with Somalia’s al-Shabaab militia threw a grenade into the home of the church guard of an East Africa Pentecostal Church congregation outside Garissa, Kenya, on Nov. 5, killing an 8-year-old girl and another member of the church, sources said.

Three other people were seriously injured in the 8 p.m. grenade attack on the house, which is near the gate of the church compound. Killed instantly were 8-year-old Winnie Mwenda Mutinda and 25-year-old church member John Kikavu. The child was the youngest daughter of church elder Patrick Mutinda, who also serves as the guard or watchman of the church building, sources said.

The watchman’s son, Samuel Mutinda, 12, suffered burns on his chest and leg, and his 10-year-old brother, Peter Mutinda, sustained burns on his hand and leg. Their grandmother, Rachael Kandu, was also severely burned.
Al-Shabaab activity near the Somali-Kenya border has increased since Kenya began air strikes on al-Shabaab-held territory in southern Somalia in October in retaliation for the rebel group’s kidnapping and murder of foreigners in Kenya.

An area pastor said a fellowship of church leaders met Nov. 3 and wrote a letter to authorities requesting police security for churches in Garissa, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. The pastor said he received a threatening message Nov. 6 on his cell phone, reading, “Message from al-Shabaab — You must migrate [from] Garissa  town within 48 hours or you see bomb blast taking your life and we know your house, Christians will see war. Don’t take it so lightly. We are for your neck.”