Kenyan Orthodox Priest Targeted, Guard Severely Wounded in Machete Attack
"We must not repay violence with violence." —Fr. Antipas
Apr. 28, 2025—A guard at the Saint Mary of Egypt Orthodox Mission and Refuge of Kenya was viciously attacked by machete-wielding bandits in Gem, Siaya County, Kenya.
On approaching the mission guards, the bandits demanded to see the rector, Fr. Antipas Odhiambo, who was away at the time. The mission workers and guard, Otieno, “in his courage and loyalty,” stood in the way and was attacked with a machete, reports Orthodox Africa.
The bandits stole mattresses, blankets, and tools from the mission.
Police and physician's report were taken locally; one of Otieno’s ears was cut off in the attack, and he suffered a deep wound to his lower back. It’s feared that his spinal cord may have been injured. Local villagers quickly rushed him to the local clinic, and with the help of limited emergency funds, he was later transferred to the Siaya Referral Hospital for more advanced care. His condition remains critical.
Several villagers sought revenge on one of the known attackers, threatening to burn his house down, but Father Antipas intervened to stop them. Such attacks against Orthodox clergy in Africa are not unheard of; criminals seeking to avail themselves of charitable organizations know to target clergy. In this particular case, specifically asking for the rector indicates they were looking for money. Father Antipas is quoted, saying, “As painful as the attack has been, we must not repay violence with violence."
Father Antipas is one of three African clergymen, recently mentioned in a UOJ editorial, who wrote a letter to the Patriarchate of Alexandria protesting the commemoration of OCU schismatics and were later sent as emissaries to Moscow representing the hundreds of priests seeking shelter under an omophorion not in communion with the OCU. These African clergy were among the first to stand up, at great risk to themselves, for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under His Beatitude Onuphry.
Fr. Antipas says that, following the example of his spiritual father Hieromonk Silouan (Brown), the founder of the Orthodox Africa charitable organization and rector of the St. John the Wonderworker Orthodox Christian Mission Center in Kampala, Uganda, he won’t give in to fear but will continue his evangelistic mission.
In December 2023, Father Silouan Brown was likewise attacked by a machete wielding intruder in Uganda last year at Saint John the Wonderworker Mission in Kampala, Uganda.
“Please continue to pray for Otieno’s healing, for the protection of our Mission, and for wisdom in responding to this evil with the heart and mind of Christ,” asks Father Antipas.
Donations can be made to the St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Mission and Refuge through Orthodox Africa or GoFundMe.
