Djibouti

Djibuti is mainland Africa’s third smallest nation. It is dominated by two majority Muslim groups, Afar and Somali, and is almost completely surrounded by Islamist countries. Despite this, Djibouti itself is not dominated by extremists. The capital city is home to several foreign naval bases, and many international aid groups operate out of the country. Even though Islam is the official state religion, the rights of Christians are generally respected, Bibles are legally available and there is no law preventing Muslims from converting. The nation seeks to protect its Muslim identity, and Christian organizations are not allowed to register officially.

Life for Christians

The government tries to limit the spread of Christianity and the growth of evangelical churches by prohibiting public meetings and the construction of buildings for Christian activities. The only churches that are allowed to worship openly are French Protestant, Roman Catholic and Ethiopian Orthodox. Foreigners are granted religious freedom, but evangelism and discipleship of new believers are discouraged. Muslims who express an interest in Christ face the risk of persecution from family and friends, and those who convert are isolated, beaten and sometimes killed for abandoning Islam.

Kenya

The country is predominantly Christian, especially in central and western Kenya. However, several tribal groups in the north remain largely unreached, and much of the coastal region is predominantly Muslim. Additionally, in the region known as Greater Somalia in northeastern Kenya, 90 percent of the population is ethnically Somali and fervently Muslim. The spread of the gospel in these areas, particularly in Greater Somalia and on the coast, is strongly resisted. In these areas, Christian missionaries from other parts of Kenya and converts from Islam are often attacked and killed. The Kenyan constitution grants every citizen freedom of religion, but local governments in resistant areas are led by Muslim officials who do little to protect the rights of believers.

LIfe for Christians

Christians cannot openly discuss their faith in areas with a Somali majority or areas near the northern border without risking the loss of family, livelihood and community. There is a significant threat of violence against Christian converts in Somali areas. In eastern Kenya, al-Shabaab terrorizes Christians, bombing churches and killing believers. In Muslim-majority areas along the coast, Christians are socially rejected.