Church leaders scared of radical youth

What you need to know:

  • The meeting was called to discuss ways of stopping the radicalisation of youths and preventing terrorist attacks.

Church ministers in Mombasa are scared of wearing religious garments for fear of being attacked by radicalised Muslim youths.

The clerics said they no longer wear collars, crosses and robes, during a meeting with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

A pastor from Kisauni recounted how a group of youths threatened him as he walked in the streets, saying they wanted his head.

“We are scared,” he told Mr Joho. The preacher asked the governor to tell Muslim youth to stop calling Christians pagans.

The meeting was called to discuss ways of stopping the radicalisation of youths and preventing terrorist attacks.

The church leaders expressed concern of the targeting of Christians by terrorists, citing the recent bloodbath in Lamu, Mandera and Garissa.

“We are concerned about radical Muslims’ continuous terrorist attacks on Christians,” said Mombasa Catholic Archdiocese Vicar-General Wilbard Lagho during the Wednesday meeting at Jubilee Hall.

The priest said efforts to curb terrorism were facing interference and opposition.