Release International welcomes calls by the Pope in Kenya to guard against 'barbarous' attacks by Islamic extremists. As attacks against Christians increase, Release says Muslim leaders in Kenya must take urgent steps to counter youth radicalisation.

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'Release has charted a worrying increase in attacks against Christians in Kenya, as Al-Shabaab militants seek to infiltrate the country,' says Paul Robinson of Release International, which supports persecuted Christians around the world.

A recent fact-finding visit by Release recorded increasing attacks against churches by Islamist gunmen based in Somalia, who are affiliated to al-Qaeda. There are also disturbing signs of hard-line intolerance towards Muslims who change their religion.

Earlier this week, Release called for prayer for Hassan Ali, a recent convert to Christianity, who has had to leave his home for fear of being murdered by his relatives.

According to Hassan, his in-laws were among a group of men armed with knives who came to his door in Witu, Lamu County, demanding to see him. He escaped through a window when he heard the visitors questioning his wife about her faith.

His wife and their children, aged seven and four, have been taken back to live with her relatives. Her parents are reportedly insisting the children attend a madrassa (Islamic school).

Hassan was raised as a Muslim but became a Christian about ten months ago.

Attacks against churches in this Christian majority country are increasing. Last month, Islamist extremists set fire to two church buildings in Tiribe near Mombasa. Pastor Mutuku of Faith Victory Church says his congregation now meet in a tent.

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Pastor Nyawa, whose Holistic Church was also burned, says his remaining members are now forced to meet outside, under police protection, but are contending with heavy rains and flooding.

'Pope Francis is right to highlight the growing risk from Islamic extremists in Kenya,' says Release International Chief Executive, Paul Robinson. 'We urge the Kenyan government to do all it can to step up security. Muslim leaders must take urgent steps to counter the radicalisation of their youth.'

Last April, al-Shabaab attacked a predominately Christian college in north-east Kenya, killing 150. The terrorist group became notorious after attacking the Westgate shopping Mall in Nairobi in September 2013, killing at least 67 people.

The Kenyan government has sent troops to Somalia, where al-Shabaab is based, and has raided mosques in Kenya to counter the growing radicalisation.