Fredrick Nzwili
Fredrick Nzwili is a journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. For more than 15 years, he has written about religion, politics, peace and conflict, development, security, environment and wildlife. His articles have appeared in international media organizations among others; The Tablet, The Christian Science Monitor, The National Geographic and Kenyan local newspapers; The Standard and the People Daily.
Barack Obama’s beloved step-grandmother, a Muslim and philanthropist, dies in Kenya at 99
(RNS) — The family matriarch and celebrated philanthropist was open to all faiths, religious leaders here have said.
Across Africa, hijab in schools divides Christians and Muslims
(RNS) — Some religious experts believe hijab should be banned from schools to create a learning environment free of religious influences.
Attacks on ancient religious sites in Ethiopia kill hundreds, reports say
(RNS) — A church that claims to contain the ark of the covenant and one of Africa’s oldest mosques have been scenes of mass killing and desecration.
Islamist militants fuel Christian persecution in Kenya, faith leaders say
(RNS) — Somalia’s al-Shabaab militants are trying to export their tyrannical strain of Shariah law, attacking Christians and churches.
Christians and Muslims in Central African Republic share shelter as renewed fighting displaces thousands
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — This latest wave of violence in the central African country has caused massive displacement of populations and forced nearly 200,000 people — half of them children — to flee from their homes.
Christmas holiday bus attacks in Kenya bring condemnation from Christian and Muslim leaders
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Christian and Muslim leaders have stepped up interfaith dialogue in hopes of reining in the bus attacks and other threats to the border region’s small Christian community.
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ release in Eritrea a rare sign of religious toleration
(RNS) — The release of 28 Witnesses follows the freeing of 20 Pentecostal and evangelical Christians who had been imprisoned for their faith.
Kenyan atheist demands Quakers revoke his membership
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Harrison Mumia, president of the Atheists in Kenya Society, applied to the church to cancel his membership and remove any records associated with him, since he no longer considers himself a Christian.
Kenyans see ‘hand of God’ in Kipchoge’s record-breaking marathon run
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The two-hour marathon barrier has finally been broken. As Eliud Kipchoge arrived back home in Nairobi on Wednesday, fellow citizens pointed to a ‘hand of God’ in his sub-two-hour run on Saturday in Vienna.
Alarmed African churches demand end to persistent xenophobic attacks in S. Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — As the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa dies out, churches in the country and others on the continent are demanding an end to the persistent problem, affecting economic migrants in one of Africa’s biggest economies.
South Sudanese churches call for acceptance of wartime sexual violence survivors
(RNS) — Thousands of women and girls in Africa’s newest nation who have suffered brutal sexual violence have been rejected by their families on their return to their communities.
Citing inclusion of LGBT clerics, Anglican bishops in Africa to shun Lambeth Conference
(RNS) — The boycott widens the split within the communion, which has struggled to stay together despite doctrinal differences over the ordination of homosexuals and blessing of same-sex unions.
Kenyan court upholds bans on gay intimacy
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) – A ruling in favor of repeal would have been a trailblazing step for an Africa court, but the three-judge bench said there was not sufficient evidence of discrimination.
In central Africa, Islamist militias complicate church efforts to battle Ebola
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Intent on disrupting efforts to stop the spread of the disease and on delegitimizing local authorities, militants have attacked Christian pastors and health workers.
As Sudanese protesters demand democracy, Catholic bishop pushes for freedom of worship
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — While cheered by the role Christians have played in liberating the largely Muslim country from its dictator, Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku wants to see the laws that impede religious freedom change as well.