5/17/2006 - Kenyan radio station attacked

The Associated Press reports that eight masked gunmen in Kenya attacked a Pentecostal church radio station, killing one person and setting the building on fire. The attack occurred during a program that compared teachings of the Bible and the Quran. Church leaders and government officials condemned the attack and warned Christians and Muslims to avoid religious conflict in the East African nation. "The government condemns this attack. It is a criminal act," government spokesman Alfred Mutua said after visiting the burned offices. "We are asking religious leaders not to say words or preach words that would breed intolerance." One security guard was stabbed and later shot dead, and another was wounded. "[This] station is for spreading the good news, and faith comes by hearing the word of God," Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi said. "It is not right to go at the source of the news and commit violent acts."