Kenya Anglican Leader Condemns Church Attack after Boy, 9, Dies from Explosion Injuries

(Photo Credit: Anglican Church of Kenya)Archbishop Eliud Wabukala of the Anglican Church of Kenya, and Bishop Joel Waweru of Nairobi Diocese meet with an injured child at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya on September 30, 2012.

The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya on Monday joined a government and Muslim leader in condemning the explosive attack at a church in Nairobi that killed a nine-year old boy attending Sunday school.

Archbishop Dr. Eliud wabukala - who visited and prayed with four of six children admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital - said Kenya is a multi-religious society and called the attacks as atrocities whose perpetrators should face the full rigor of the law, according to a report by the Church.

"This is a cruel provocation, but I appeal to Christians not to feed violence with violence, either in word or deed, because we are called to overcome evil with good," he said.

Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Njoronge Ndirangu and Supreme council of Kenyan Muslims Secretary General sheikh Adan Wachu gathered at the scene and expressed disapproval of the act, the Church of Kenya said.

The boy, John Ian Maina, suffered fatal injuries from the explosion at Anglican Church of Kenya St. Polycarp Parish on Juja Road in Pangani area, according to the Daily Nation.

Police told the publication that attackers threw an "improvised explosive device" and escaped through a footpath next to the church compound in the 10:30 a.m. incident.

A description of the scene included bloodstained children's jackets and shoes scattered on the floor of the church, surrounded by remnants of iron sheets broken and twisted by the force of the explosion.

The child's mother, Jane Siavinya, called on the government to "bring these culprits to book, I cannot fathom why they targeted little ones."

The report noted high tension in pangani after the attack, with crowds engaging police in running battles.

Some youths started stoning a residential building near Alamin mosque, just meters from the church.
Police also stopped an attempt to set a residence next to the church on fire.

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