In northeastern Kenya, an attack by suspected al-Shabaab militants left three people killed and two others injured while they were in a passenger bus traveling from Mandera to Nairobi on February 19.
According to reports from International Christian Concern (ICC), the two Christians were execute for failing to recite the Islamic statement of faith and a Muslim man was killed in an attempt of protecting the Christians from militants.
"The incident happened on the morning of February 19 at Banisa, Mandera County, where a group of armed al-Shabaab members ambushed a bus ferrying 47 passengers to Nairobi. They sprayed it with bullets and deflated the tires in order to halt it and pick Christians from the bus. The efforts of the driver to escape from their trap did not bear fruit. He was also injured during the attack. Three people were killed and two others injured," a security officer based in northeastern Kenya told ICC.
An incident as this is not happening for the first time in the region. Even in the past, there were incidents where al-Shabaab militants have stopped passenger buses and separate people by religion and kill those who fail to recite the Islamic Shahada, specifically targeting the Christians.
According to Nathan Johnson, ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, it is encouraging to see a number of brave Muslims who have continued to try and protect Christians. "Those who do this must be lifted up as heroes," Johnson said.
