Embattled Pastor Ezekiel Odero now says that the decision to deregister his ministry, Newlife Prayer Centre, is a scheme to frustrate and obstruct the operations of his church.
In an application filed at Milimani Law Courts, the pastor says that he became aware of the notice to show cause that the registrar’s office had served on him, through media outlets, 8 days after the expiry of the intended 21-day notice.
“The calculated scheme by the 1st Respondent of cancelling the registration of the church on May 19th 2023 and published on 18th August 2023, yet the Applicant only became aware of the notice to show cause on the 25th of May 2023, is in a bid to frustrate the Applicant’s right to fair administrative action in light of his upcoming “Meza ya Bwana” international conference, scheduled to take place over 14 days,” reads court papers.
He says that if the court does not intervene he shall suffer irreparable harm and his congregants’ freedom of religion shall be curtailed in contravention of Article 32 of the Constitution.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, Pastor Ezekiel is accusing the Registrar of Societies of failing to give him the church’s file so as to file the annual returns.
“It is increasingly disheartening of the numerous attempts by state organs to persecute the Applicant, frustrate his ministry and eventually not only shut down the New Life Prayer Centre & Church but also all other projects by the Applicant,”reads the papers.
