Coast-based televangelist pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life Church now faces murder charges in connection with alleged mass killings of his followers.
Ezekiel was arrested Thursday, May 27, 2023, and is set to be processed with the aforementioned criminal charge according to Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki.
This, he said through an update on his social media page.
“It is notified for information of the general public that today Thursday, 27th April 2023, Ezekiel Ombok Odero the Head of New Life Prayer Centre/Church at Mavueni within Malindi Sub-County of Kilifi County has been arrested and is being processed to face criminal charges related to the mass killing of his followers,” he wrote.
100 people in Pastor Ezekiel’s church
Further, Kindiki stated that at the time of his arrest, over 100 people were holed up in Ezekiel’s church which has since been shut down.
He says the authorities have since evacuated the people adding that they are required to record statements.
“The said church has been shut down. The over 100 people who were holed up at the premises have been evacuated and will be required to record statements,” he added.
Pastor Ezekiel has been in the spotlight since his mega crusade on Sunday, November 27, 2022, where he pulled a large crowd to Kasarani — a feat that has only been accomplished by seasoned politicians.
His arrest comes in the wake Shakahola starvation massacre involving another Kilifi-based cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie.
