Church secretary shot dead as he went to church in Mombasa, Kenya

A church official was shot dead outside a church meeting in Mombasa, Kenya on Sunday.

George Karidhimba Muriki, church secretary at the Maximum Revival Center, was killed by gunmen on a motobike just outside Mvita Primary School, where the church meets.

According to the Global Times, police prevented the gunmen from entering the church.

"He was shot as he was about to enter into the church, but immediately our officers responded and engaged them in a shootout and they escaped," senior police official Henry Ondiek told the Global Times.

Another church and a mosque meets on the compound that is guarded by police.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the militant Islamist group Al-Shabaab has been active in the region.

An investigation has been launched into the attack. It is being treated as an isolated incident as the area has been reasonably calm, according to secuirty officials.

Bishop Boniface Kalu of the Anglican Church in Kenya called on the government to offer greater protection for churches.

"As we condemn this heinous act we are at the same time asking the government to provide protection to churches and their leaders because they have become targets by criminals," he said.

related articles
Kenya: Youths kill two Christian men after police raid mosques
Kenya: Youths kill two Christian men after police raid mosques

Kenya: Youths kill two Christian men after police raid mosques

Somali al Shabaab gunmen kill 36 non-Muslims in Kenya quarry
Somali al Shabaab gunmen kill 36 non-Muslims in Kenya quarry

Somali al Shabaab gunmen kill 36 non-Muslims in Kenya quarry

Kenya: Christians urged to leave northern region following spate of terrorist attacks
Kenya: Christians urged to leave northern region following spate of terrorist attacks

Kenya: Christians urged to leave northern region following spate of terrorist attacks

Christian churches in Kenya struggle after being targeted by Islamist group
Christian churches in Kenya struggle after being targeted by Islamist group

Christian churches in Kenya struggle after being targeted by Islamist group

Nigeria church closes doors after losing 11 members in recent al-Shabaab attacks
Nigeria church closes doors after losing 11 members in recent al-Shabaab attacks

Nigeria church closes doors after losing 11 members in recent al-Shabaab attacks

\'Islamist groups gaining ground in Africa\' warns persecution charity
'Islamist groups gaining ground in Africa' warns persecution charity

'Islamist groups gaining ground in Africa' warns persecution charity

News
'Light of hope for us': Christmas lights illuminate Bethlehem and Jerusalem for the first time in two years
'Light of hope for us': Christmas lights illuminate Bethlehem and Jerusalem for the first time in two years

Bethlehem and Jerusalem have ushered in the Christmas season with public celebrations and glittering lights for the first time in two years, marking a poignant moment of hope in cities still grappling with the humanitarian and economic fallout of the Gaza war.

Church of England bishops were right to halt same-sex blessing plans - Bishop of Winchester 
Church of England bishops were right to halt same-sex blessing plans - Bishop of Winchester 

The Bishop of Winchester has defended the recent decision of the House of Bishops to pause plans to introduce standalone same-sex blessing services. 

Protecting girls and young women in the digital age
Protecting girls and young women in the digital age

It’s a missional priority for us as Christian communities to have open discussions about both the benefits and downsides of being online.

Rev Dr Richard Turnbull: former principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Rev Dr Richard Turnbull: former principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford

Richard Turnbull brought an unusual combination of skills to his life’s work. He died on 26 October, aged 65, having been diagnosed with terminal cancer.