Renowned controversial televangelist Ezekiel Odero will face charges linked to alleged mass killing of his followers, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said.
This comes hours after police at the Coast arrested the preacher and closed down his mega-church in Mavueni, Kilifi County.
In his message on the matter, the CS said at least 100 people who were found at the televangelist’s premises would help police with their probe.
Earlier, Coast Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha, who briefed the press following the arrest on Thursday, said the pastor was questioned by detectives at the Coast Police Headquarters in Mombasa.
“We have arrested Pastor Ezekiel of the New Prayer Centre and Church at Mavueni in Kilifi County on allegations of the deaths that have been occurring at his premises and [have been] reported in various morgues or institutions,” said Ms Onyancha.
Mr Odero ‘s arrest comes in the wake of mass deaths at an expansive land allegedly owned by cult leader Paul Mackenzie, whose church is based in Shakahola village, in Kilifi.
It also comes as Kenya’s policing authorities came under tough criticism for alleged negligence over cult activities that have so far claimed more than 90 lives in Shakahola village.
MPs this week said Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohamed and National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director-General Philip Kameru should explain to Kenyans how the crimes — believed to have gone on for quite some time — went undetected for long.
Ms Onyancha, who is also the regional security committee chairperson, said pastor Ezekiel’s arrest was not connected with the Mackenzie saga.
Pastor Ezekiel, who was accompanied by his lawyer Jared Magelo, was clad in his signature white robe and his Bible, which he carries wherever he goes.
“We have also taken action and closed down his prayer centre going forward. We are informing the public that the prayer centre has been closed down and whoever was in there cleared out. We will give updates as we progress with investigations,” said Ms Onyancha.
