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
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 and 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.
Kenyans see ‘hand of God’ in Kipchoge’s record-breaking marathon run
By Fredrick Nzwili — October 17, 2019
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
By Fredrick Nzwili — September 24, 2019
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.
