WIDHO, Kenya — Muslim extremist groups from Kenya and Somali are suspected of killing six Christians in a Jan. 3 raid, reports Morning Star News.
Members and sympathizers of Somali militant group Al Shabaab, which is aligned with Al Qaeda, are believed to have joined local Muslim extremists for the attack in Widho, Kenya, the report states.
Three of the targeted Christians had met at a shop to pray and died when the building was torched. Two other Christians burned to death in their homes.
The other man killed had grown up Christian and converted to Islam. The assailants beheaded him because he had left Islam and returned to Christianity, the report says.
The coastal region, which includes Widho and Lamu County, is predominantly Muslim. A source said Muslim extremists want to make the region an independent Islamic zone.
Local residents said only Christians are targeted in attacks like the one in Widho.
Somalia is No. 3 on Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian. Kenya is not on the list.
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