[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”96336″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]02/28/2019 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – For the families of Daniel Wekesa, Philip Okumu, Alfred Muganda, and Joshua Ooko in Kenya, 2018 was the worst year they can remember. Each one of these men was martyred for his faith in Christ. They, as well as many others, fell victim to the continued wrath of Islamic extremism that dominates eastern Kenya and Somalia.
Philip and Daniel were Christian teachers in Mandera, a terror-prone area, who had dedicated their lives to helping the Muslim-majority community fight high illiteracy rates. On October 10, 2018, Somalia-based al-Shabaab fighters snuck across the porous Kenya-Somali border to target the non-local teachers in Arabia Boys Secondary School in Mandera East, and killed them by shooting and setting off explosives.
“We knew that Mandera was not safe for my son, but his passion for teaching and transforming the younger generations kept him there. We always prayed that the Lord would protect him. Our hearts were shattered at the news that Mr. Philip was among the two teachers killed in Arabia Secondary School,” said Andrew Biketi, Philip’s father.
Recently, while International Christian Concern (ICC) was visiting Philip’s family, his father expressed gladness for the help ICC has provided. “My heart is rejoicing at what you have done to me and my family. This is unbelievable. Since the time Philip Okumu died, we have been struggling to come to terms and adjusting to living without him and the support he provided us. Having you around with all these items given to us, makes us feel loved. Our healing process is going to be quicker due to your concern and sympathy,” said Andrew Biketi.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”“Having you around with all these items given to us, makes us feel loved. Our healing process is going to be quicker due to your concern and sympathy.”” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1551370743846{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1551370774249{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
Daniel left behind a wife and three children. In the aftermath of tragedy, his wife Harriet is certain that the Lord is their provider. She said, “As the family of Daniel Wekesa, we now believe that God is the father to the fatherless and husband of the widow. This scripture has become alive in us and our doubt about God’s care and provision has been overcome.”
Alfred Muganda was killed on September 13, 2018, by irate residents of Elwak, Mandera, after three suspected al-Shabaab members were fatally shot by the police. A group of extremists, led by local sheikhs, gathered into a mob and ambushed a construction site where Alfred and other non-local Christians were working. They then stoned two of the trapped Christians to death. His wife, Joan, remembers him as a man who worked hard to provide for his family.
She shared, “Alfred was a caring husband. He always made sure that we had our needs met. Life has not been the same since. It’s just a few months after he left us, but we have been suffering a lot. But today has marked a new day for us because we have supplies for three months and pocket money for an emergency. We also have money for clothes. Our prayer is that the same God who has remembered us will always provide for us.”
Lastly, a bus attack in Garissa on September 14, 2018, claimed the lives of two Christians, Joshua Ooko and Fredrick Ngui, after they declined to recite the Islamic creed. Without hesitation, the al-Qaeda allied members of the al-Shabaab group fatally shot them, while sparing all of the Muslim passengers on the bus. Joshua’s father, Samuel, laments that his son did not deserve to die. He said, “He was innocent. He did not wrong anyone and the Muslim radicals should not have killed him. He was the only son who was working and supporting my family.”
However, Joshua’s family is thankful for the support ICC has extended to them.
“This is a milestone in our family this year. Thank you for sacrificing your money and other resources to come all the way here to help us with such precious gifts.” Samuel told ICC.
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org
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