Source: www.persecution.org
Date: December 2, 2022
Kenya (International Christian Concern) – David is a survivor of a heinous attack by Somali herders on October 20, 2022, in Kitui South, a province in western Kenya. He shared with an ICC staff member about the horrific incident that left him with scars that shall forever remind him of the Lord’s goodness.
David said, “I am a survivor of the recent attacks on Christian farmers here in Kitui South by the Somali camel herders. I was on my farm in Mutha and, at around noon, I got thirsty and decided to walk to the next farm about 2 kilometers away to borrow clean water. Along the way, I found Somali Muslims herding their camels onto someone’s farm. I did not talk to them since they usually kill people who question why they are invading people’s farms and grazing illegally. I went around the camels quietly and, just as I thought I had escaped unscathed, I felt a piercing pain in my back and something like a stone coming out of me.”
David managed to run away from his attackers who seem to have also fled after shooting him.
He continued, “I did not fall down immediately because I knew they would come and slaughter me. I ran away as I held my chest, but I did not manage to reach home. I fell under a tree, helpless, and gasping for air. I could not help myself. I was bleeding profusely.”
He lay in the forest from noon until the following day at noon when other farmers passed by and were able to rescue him.
“I thought someone would just pass by, but I spent the night lying down in the thick forest. I was writhing in excruciating pain, hungry, and thirsty and at that time I asked the Lord to just take my life. I have never been so helpless. Every single breath was supposed to be my last breath. At night, wild animals were approaching me. Hyenas from the nearby rocky forest caves were coming near me and I wanted them to just devour me so that I could escape from the pain I was going through. They did not even sniff me. They would come to check on me and leave before dawn. I will never forget that horrible experience.”
He continued, “I heard people passing by and I tried to call for help. My voice was weak, but they heard and saw me. They fled because they thought someone was trailing them. I called again in a much louder voice asking for help and they finally heard me and came. The first thing I asked for was water. Those people saved my life. I was dying. They raised me up so I could sit, gave me water, and called the police.”
David was taken to the hospital near his home, but they could not treat him since he was in critical condition. He was referred to another larger hospital, but they could not treat him as well.
He spent another day at this hospital waiting to be referred to Kenya’s largest medical facility located in Nairobi. On the third day, he finally got to a hospital that could handle him.
“I knew that I had a few hours to live since the hospitals could not attend to me. My condition was worsening. Once again, God gave me another chance, and after three grueling days, I was taken to the operating room in Nairobi.”
After spending three weeks at the hospital David was discharged and he is recovering at home. He is thankful to God for saving his life from the Somali herders, whom he describes as terrorists disguised as ranchers.
For several years, Somali Muslim herders have harassed Christian farmers in Kenya by letting their cattle graze on local Christians’ farms, falsely claiming that the Christians do not own the land. Please pray for those who are suffering in this conflict.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for continued healing for David following this attack. Pray for protection for his family. Pray for tensions to ease between Somali Muslim herders and Kenyan Christian farmers.