Muslim bus passengers save Christians from Al-Shabaab extremists: 'Kill us all or leave'

Kenya's army is fighting the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab group. Here, weapons captured in a successful operation are displayed. Reuters

Kenyan Christians have been saved from certain death by Muslims who refused to be separated from them when their bus was ambushed by suspected Islamist extremists.

According to Kenya's Daily Nation news service, two people died and three were injured when a bus travelling from Nairobi to Mandera was attacked by Al-Shabaab militants this morning.

Deputy County Commissioner Julius Otieno told the Nation that the attackers had told the passengers to alight from the vehicle and tried to divide them between Muslims and non-Muslims.

"They were trying to identify who were Christians and who were not. They told the non-Christians to return to the vehicle," Otieno said.

article,article,article,article Related

Mandera Governor Ali Roba said the passengers had refused to be separated and dared the attackers to either kill all of them or leave.

"This forced the militants to leave in a hurry fearing retaliation by residents from nearby villages," he said.

"The locals showed a sense of patriotism and belonging to each other by insisting that the Al-Shabaab should kill them together or leave them alone."

He said that local people had been injured "trying to protect non-Muslims in the bus".

Roba added that Al-Shabaab fighters crossed into Kenya in groups of six to 15 and that the largest group seen in the area comprised 30 fighters.

He said that they were attempting to radicalise villagers, without success.

Al-Shabaab's worst attack in Kenya has been its massacre of students at Garissa University on April 2, in which 152 people died including four gunmen. Survivors spoke of merciless executions by the attackers, who stalked classrooms and dormitories hunting for non-Muslim students.

Reuben Mwavita, 21, a student, said he saw three female students kneeling in front of the gunmen, begging for mercy.

"The mistake they made was to say 'Jesus, please save us', because that is when they were immediately shot," Mwavita said.

related articles
Four Al-Shabaab militants killed in attack on Somali government site
Four Al-Shabaab militants killed in attack on Somali government site

Four Al-Shabaab militants killed in attack on Somali government site

The Garissa massacre: Stories from the survivors
The Garissa massacre: Stories from the survivors

The Garissa massacre: Stories from the survivors

Christian teacher abducted by al-Shabaab rescued in Somalia
Christian teacher abducted by al-Shabaab rescued in Somalia

Christian teacher abducted by al-Shabaab rescued in Somalia

ISIS support grows as more Al Shabaab members pledge allegiance

ISIS support grows as more Al Shabaab members pledge allegiance

News
The story of the pope known as the Apostle to the English
The story of the pope known as the Apostle to the English

Pope Gregory I, known as Gregory the Great, was one of the most important popes, and his positive legacy is still felt today - not least in Britain. This is the story … 

Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide

Christians are doubling down on efforts to stop assisted suicide becoming legal in England and Wales after Kim Leadbeater's bill was debated in Westminster on Friday. 

Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign
Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign

More than 100 Christian leaders recently came together at a parliamentary reception in London for the launch of Shine Your Light 2025 — a bold evangelistic initiative aiming to bring the message of Christ to streets, neighbourhoods, and marketplaces across the UK.

Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling
Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling

An NHS trust has been accused of continually flouting the law around women’s rights by requiring female nurses to get changed in front of a biologically male nurse who goes by the name of “Rose”.