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
Palm Sunday: the triumphal entry and its meaning for us today
Palm Sunday: the triumphal entry and its meaning for us today

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week in the Christian calendar.

The backstory to Palm Sunday most evangelicals miss
The backstory to Palm Sunday most evangelicals miss

29 March is Palm Sunday, or the sixth Sunday in Lent, which kicks off Holy Week. The events of this day echo a historical episode from Jewish history which most evangelicals miss. This is the story …

Iraqi Christians told to cancel Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations
Iraqi Christians told to cancel Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations

The Palm Sunday celebrations in Northern Iraq usually are big celebrations to commemorate Jesus entering Jerusalem.

Historic England grants £1m to renovate three churches
Historic England grants £1m to renovate three churches

Funding has also been provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.