Attack on Kenyan Radio Station

Late on Friday 12th May gunmen attacked Christian radio station Hope FM in Nairobi, Kenya.

The attack, during the airing of a program comparing teachings of the Bible and the Koran, left a guard dead, two others injured and the building partly fire damaged by a petrol bomb. The programme's presenter Damian Moses Ndimbo escaped with a bullet grazing his finger after he fought off one of the attackers.

The eight masked attackers are suspected of calling the radio program before the attack and authorities in Kenya are now attempting to identify the men from phone records along with DNA and fingerprints left on the scene.

The attack has been widely denounced by both Christian and Muslim leaders and Kenyan officials.

The station’s reception area has been badly damaged with burnt furniture strewn all over. However, the fire did not get to the main studio and Hope FM was able to resume broadcasting early on Saturday morning.

PRESS RELEASE FROM HOPE FM MANAGEMENT

At around 10:30 pm on Friday 12th May, 2006, 93.3 Hope FM studio was petrol bombed by some masked armed men. After gaining entrance they tied and shot dead one of the guards manning the main gate, and injured two others, who are recuperating in the hospital. They then proceeded to the Hope FM studio and forcefully gained entrance into the studio. After a scuffle with the staff who were on their way out, they fired a shot, switched off the station and petrol bombed the facility.

We thank the police, Group 4 Security, Patriotic Guards and the Fire Brigade who arrived immediately in response to the alarm and helped to contain the situation. The relevant government security teams are carrying out investigations.

We would like to assure our members and the general public that the station is up and running. The plans to launch national coverage are also on course.

We take this opportunity to express our deep felt condolences and sympathy to the family of our guard and wish a quick recovery to the two in hospital. We condemn the taking away of innocent lives and the wanton destruction of private property.

We are deeply concerned by a culture of intolerance by those who may not agree with each other especially in the media. Killing the messenger does not and will not kil the message.

Although the enemy meant to do evil, it is our conviction that the Lord will turn this evil around for His glory.

CHRIST IS THE ANSWER MINISTRIES,
13 MAY, 2006.

Web Links

• Hope FM website
• Newsblog Story