Pay for the destruction, says church

What you need to know:

  • Churches say the attacks by Al-Shabaab and other groupings appear to be well-planned and the government should bear the responsibility.
  • Rev Karanja says the government has a duty to protect life and property, which it had failed to do.
  • In Mombasa, a meeting between Muslim leaders and Christian clerics is called to broker peace aborted on Wednesday when bishops storm out of the venue.

The Church has demanded compensation for 11 of its institutions, which have been burnt down in the past five months.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) secretary-general Peter Karanja said the attacks on its churches by Al-Shabaab and other groupings appear to be well-planned and the government should bear the responsibility.

Addressing a press conference at the council’s headquarters in Jumuia Place, Nairobi, the Rev Karanja said the government has a duty to protect life and property, which it had failed to do.

Churches destroyed

“What is clear is that peace in the country is about appeasing the angry rather than protecting the innocent,” he said.

Reacting after the Mombasa chaos in which two churches were destroyed by rioters protesting the killing of Sheikh Aboud Rogo on Monday, the Rev Karanja praised Christians for restraining themselves following the attacks. (READ: Mombasa burns as Kibaki, Raila lead peace campaign)

In Mombasa, a meeting between Muslim leaders and Christian clerics called to broker peace aborted on Wednesday when bishops stormed out of the venue.

“We are not happy with the agenda of today’s meeting. How can they put politics ahead of peace when Mombasa is burning?” Anglican Bishop Lawrence Dena said as he drove away.