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.

All Stories by Fredrick Nzwili

Nigerian herders kill 33, burn 4 churches days after kidnapping schoolchildren

By Fredrick Nzwili — July 16, 2021

(RNS) — 'This is religious persecution. We must call it that. I have 1,000 reasons to believe so,' said a local leader.

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Congolese cleric and statesman, dies at 81

By Fredrick Nzwili — July 14, 2021

(RNS) — The former archbishop of Kinshasa is remembered as both a church leader and a statesman who fought fearlessly for human rights, and helped guide the nation through a turbulent political transition.

In Kenya, faith groups work to resettle youth returning from al-Shabab

By Fredrick Nzwili — July 2, 2021

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — More than 300 such youths who had traveled to Somalia for training as jihadists had been rescued and brought back to the country.

Kenyan woman ‘marries’ the Holy Spirit in Anglican ceremony

By Fredrick Nzwili — June 4, 2021

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A man who said he is her husband viewed the most recent ceremony differently: “There are not two marriages here. She is my wife.”

Kenyan Rastafarians seek to legalize marijuana over doubts of other faith leaders

By Fredrick Nzwili — May 20, 2021

(RNS) — ‘We want the world to no longer see it as a narcotic, but a medical plant that can help the creation,’ said a Rastafarian leader.

Global pressure mounts for Nigerian atheist’s release after year in detention

By Fredrick Nzwili — April 30, 2021

(RNS) — The 37-year-old Bala, who recanted his Muslim faith in 2014, has faced numerous death threats and harassment, according to Humanist International.

Attackers shoot Italian bishop-elect in his home in South Sudan

By Claire Giangravé, Fredrick Nzwili — April 27, 2021

(RNS) — Some have suggested that the attack may have been a warning for the Catholic Church to keep out of the political disputes in South Sudan.

Barack Obama’s beloved step-grandmother, a Muslim and philanthropist, dies in Kenya at 99

By Fredrick Nzwili — March 29, 2021

(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

By Fredrick Nzwili — March 15, 2021

(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

By Fredrick Nzwili — February 18, 2021

(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

By Fredrick Nzwili — February 8, 2021

(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

By Fredrick Nzwili — January 27, 2021

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

By Fredrick Nzwili — December 16, 2020

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

By Fredrick Nzwili — December 10, 2020

(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

By Fredrick Nzwili — October 24, 2019

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.

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