Evangelist Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life Church in Mavueni Kilifi County has been arrested.
The televangelist is to answer to the many deaths reported at his Church, with police confirming its closure amid investigations.
His arrest comes just a day after he was questioned about alleged links to Paul Mackenzie, the leader of a starvation cult that has led to the deaths of at least 98 in Shakahola, Kilifi.
Coast Regional Commissioner Rodha Onyanja confirmed the preacher’s arrest on Thursday morning, saying he was apprehended by joint security teams.
“This morning we have arrested Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life Prayer Centre and Church in Mavueni on allegation of the deaths that have been occurring at his premises and reported to various morgues or institutions,” Onyanja told the media.
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Detectives have been investigating claims that Pastor Ezekiel was pulling critically ill followers from hospital wards to his church to perform healing miracles.
Reports indicate that some of the patients could have died from being denied medication because of the preacher’s actions.
The investigation has so far collected statements from the management and officials of Milele Funeral, Burial and Benevolent Services in Mbogolo area near the church’s headquarters in Kilifi town to establish how many bodies, if any, it has received from the church.
Nyeri Archdiocese Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria on Wednesday called for the financial audit of church leaders in a bid to eliminate cultic worship in the society.
“It is important that we audit the wealth of all religious leaders; all of us including myself should be able to declare what I have in my account,” he said.
