Televangelist Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life Prayer Centre and Church was questioned by police on April 25th regarding his doctrine and church operations in relation to the mysterious deaths associated with cultic worship at the Coast. According to authoritative sources at the Ministry of Interior, Pastor Ezekiel recorded a statement with Kilifi DCI.
Police also visited Milele Funeral Home in Mavueni, Kilifi County, a morgue near Pastor Ezekiel’s church, to investigate allegations of cultic operations. Milele Funeral Home CEO, Johnson Amani Kea, clarified that they did not file a complaint with the police but only aided the police in investigations.
Efforts to reach Pastor Ezekiel for comment were unsuccessful. However, in past videos, he had accused Milele Funeral Home of profiting from carnages and claimed to have prayed over the matter, resulting in the morgue being shut down. Johnson Amani Kea responded, clarifying that the morgue was still in operation and was a legal business.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki confirmed that police officers were investigating other flamboyant preachers whose teachings appeared contrary to what the law advocates for. He stated that any faith that kills people or engages in criminal activities in the name of religion must be stopped, and this is the time to stop these charlatans.
The investigations into the life and doctrines of Pastor Ezekiel Odero came after the Shakahola massacre, in which over 90 bodies were exhumed and over 30 people were rescued while starving themselves to death. Controversial Pastor, Paul Mackenzie, was arrested, with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji recommending charges of terrorism, genocide, radicalization, and aiding individuals to kill themselves. The net has been cast wider to investigate another religious organization in Kilifi.
