Teacher Fatally Shot at School

2 minutes read

African children in school
The shooting took place in front of
elementary school students.

Suspected al-Shabaab militants walked into an elementary school compound in northeastern Kenya on May 31st, shooting a Christian teacher to death in front of the pupils. Elly Oloo Ojiema was shot at Fafi Primary School, about 100 kilometres from Garissa. After the shooting, the suspected members of the notorious Somali rebel group kidnapped another Christian teacher, Joseph Kamau, along with a Muslim teacher who tried to defend him.

According to the testimony of a colleague, the abducted Muslim teacher announced while trying to shield the Kenyan Christian that he was willing to die with him. The witness further explains: "The al-Shabaab (rebels) got angry and told the teacher, 'We are going to teach you a lesson for protecting the infidels,' and immediately the two were carried away to an unknown destination."

Before escaping the school with the two captured teachers, the militants beat the Muslims of Somali descent merely for housing Kenyan Christians. "We are sounding a warning to you that we shall not take lightly you who are accommodating these infidels," one of the attackers threatened.

The incident has increased concerns among Christians in Garissa, who are already on edge after years of guerrilla assaults by Somali rebels fighting the government in Somalia. A pastors' fellowship in Garissa met on June 2nd and called on the Kenyan government to provide more security. Officials responded by promising to send security guards to protect community members during worship services.

May the loving comfort of our Lord be powerfully experienced in the lives of the students and teachers -- as well as their families -- who have been affected by the tragic shooting and abductions. Ask Him to protect the two captured teachers as they await their hopeful release, giving them the assurance of His abiding presence while in captivity. Pray that the Christians in Kenya will not succumb to fear, even in the wake of such chaos and hate, but rather hold steadfastly onto God (their "Rock," "Fortress" and "Deliverer"), who promises to be "an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1; 18:2).

  • Country Information

    Kenya map & flagPopulation
    57,052,004 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Kikuyu (17.1), Luhya (14.3), Kalenjin (13.4), Luo (10.7), Kamba (9.8), Somali (5.8), Kisii (5.7), Mijikenda (5.2), Meru (4.2), Maasai (2.5), Turkana (2.1), other (9.2)

    Religions (%)
    Christian (85.5) (Protestant 33.4%, Catholic 20.6%, Evangelical 20.4% other 11.1%), Muslim (10.9), Other (1.8), None (1.6)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Leader
    President William Ruto (2022)

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in a new Supreme Court established pursuant to the new constitution

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Kenya

    Pray that Somali refugees within Kenya will be open to the gospel. Ask the Lord to encourage believers to be unified in heart and purpose as they serve converts from Islam. Pray that churches in the northeastern region will remain strong as they face Islamist attacks.

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