Urgent Prayer Request

“Police shut down KTN and burn The Standard”, so read the headlines of Kenya’s leading paper, The Nation on March 2nd. On Friday the 3rd, The Nation reported that Kenya’s “National Security minister, John Michuki shocked Kenyans yesterday when he arrogantly admitted the Government was responsible for the State-sponsored terror against The Standard Group”.

The Standard is one of Kenya’s leading papers and KTN is probably the largest television station in the nation, both are owned by The Standard Group. The attacks were carried out by hooded police about midnight on Wednesday, March 1st. Supposedly, there was a story that the government did not want to be released to the public, but it is unclear exactly why they reacted in this way. The present administration has come under repeated attacks of severe corruption and abuse recently. It is being said that they wanted to send a clear message that criticism of the government and its corruption will no longer be tolerated.

Whatever the case, we would again ask for your prayers for this nation. Kenya has struggled in so many ways for years now, but there was such a spirit of excitement when this new administration was sworn-in in 2002. The people of this nation (including us) were thrilled and could sense change after more than 20 years of oppression, terrible scandals and rampant corruption. There is a strong sense of desperation and disappointment today, and violent acts such as this do not bode well for the government or the people of this nation. It never is a good thing when the government of any nation uses the police to silence freedom of speech. Please pray for peace and true change in the lives of Kenya’s leaders.