Kenya

Kenya is situated in Eastern Africa between Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and the Indian Ocean. 45% of the population is Protestant, 33% belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, 10% is Muslim, and 10% adhere to indigenous beliefs. English and Kiswahili are the official languages of Kenya, though many local languages are also spoken. Within Kenya, there are at least 11 ethnic groups.

Independence was achieved in 1969. For 16 years, Kenya was unofficially a one-party state. Despite elections marked by violence and fraud in 1992 and 1997, President Moi stepped down after losing the election in 2002.

Religious Freedom

The Constitution guarantees religious freedom and does not permit the creation of a state religion. This is generally respected by the government. Religious groups are obligated to register with the government, which then allows them to apply for tax-exemption. Small religious groups that are seen by the government as part of another religion or denomination are rarely able to register as a single entity.

Christian and Muslim institutions often sponsor schools through the provision of land or instructors salaries. In schools sponsored by Christians, children must attend the daily assembly for morning prayers, but non-Christians are not required to participate.

International Treaties Signed by Kenya

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The Convention on the Rights of the Child

Canada-Kenya Diplomatic Relations

Information about Canada’s relationship with Kenya
Canadian High Commission in Kenya
Canadian representatives in Kenya
Kenya’s representatives in Canada

Prayer

For prayer requests, see the alerts, or the general page of prayer for the Persecuted Church.

Related Links

General information about Kenya
Information about human rights in Kenya

Related EFC Religious Liberty Commission Alerts

Note: Alerts are in reverse chronological order, beginning with most recent.

Kenya: Violence Between Muslims and Christians Begins

::12/1/00
(Source: Kenya Christian Lawyers Fellowship)

On November 30 and December 1, there were clashes in Nairobi between Muslims (who are just now observing their Ramadhan) and some other people who they perceive to be Christians. A mosque was burned by other people because they felt the Muslims wanted to forcefully take a piece of land which they use for their business. Following the attack on the mosque, the Muslims burnt two churches and attempted to burn a third on November 30. On December 1, the Muslims went on a rampage trying to destroy as many churches as possible.

This report was sent by Peter Waiyaki, President of the Kenya Christian Lawyers Fellowship. He says that the mob tried to force their way into his church. His pastor has been rushed to hospital after they injured him and burned his car.

Pray:
• Pray that this situation will be brought under control by the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Pray that the violence will abate over the weekend.
• Pray that Christians in Nairobi will not resort to violence but will, as Peter requests, "recognize the fact that this is Spiritual warfare which must be fought with spiritual weapons."