Members of al-Shabaab, a Somalia-based terrorist group, are believed to have been behind the attack which saw Christians passengers separated from their Muslim counterparts before being murdered. The militants pounced on a vehicle run by Medina Bus Company on December 6 as it travelled from Nairobi to the city of Mandera, close to the Somalia-Kenya border. The jihadists brought the coach to a stop near Kotulo area in Wajir County before boarding it, reports International Christian Concern. 

Eleven Christians were targeted, nine of whom have been confirmed dead while the other two are unaccounted for. 

The slain passengers who were shot at close range are not thought to have been from the local area. 

Mayor of Mandera, Ali Roba, said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the heinous bus attack near Kotulo, Wajir today around 5pm where 10 passengers were killed or are missing. 

“I am informed that the suspected al-Shabaab fighters cowardly segregated non-locals heading to Mandera from Nairobi. 

“It is extremely sad and humanly disturbing to learn that, yet again, they segregated locals from non-locals before killing those they believed to be non-locals.”

A Kenyan police officer told ICC the attack happened 5km south of Kotulo, in an area called Maadathe. 

ICC said the two missing passengers are presumed dead. 

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The latest tragedy echoes a similar attack on two Kenyan men last year who were killed by gunmen for failing to say Islamic prayers. 

And in 2014, 28 teachers travelling to Nairobi for the Christmas holidays were killed after being forced to recite the Islamic statement of faith.

Last month al-Shabaab militants launched an attack on constructions workers in Mandera. 

Gunmen ambushed a van carrying eight workmen as it travelled along the road linking Kotulo and Elwak-Kotulo.

All eight passengers escaped without injury. 

Nathan Johnson, ICC’s regional manager for Africa, said Christians in Kenya are being singled out by jihadis at an alarming rate. 

He said: “We pray for the families of the deceased and for peace to come to a region that has seen increased violence toward Christians who are just trying to survive. 

“We hope that the government will take effective action to stop the senseless killing of so many Christians in Kenya at the hands of Islamic extremists like al-Shabaab. 

“We praise God as the refuge and strong tower that He is for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ who continue to endure so much.”

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