Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced that televangelist Ezekiel Odero would be facing charges of mass murder of his followers.
In a statement via Twitter, Kindiki said the pastor of New Life Prayer Centre who was arrested earlier on Thursday in Kilifi is currently being processed for charges.
“It is notified for information of the general public that today Thursday, 27th April 2023, Mr 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 mass killing of his followers. 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. The said Church has been shut down.” Kindiki tweeted.
Ezekiel was arrested Thursday morning over what Coast Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha termed as “allegations of deaths at his premises and reported in morgues”.
His apprehension is coupled with queries over his apparent relationship with Paul Mackenzie, the leader of the reprted cult in Shakakhola.
Both preachers have come under scrutiny in the recent past over mass killings of religious folk in the coastal region of Kilifi. Investigations are ongoing to further determine the nature of their acquaintanceship.
Meanwhile, Kindiki made it clear that the government would not allow criminals to use the constitutional provision of freedom of worship to commit crimes in the country.
“ We will not allow cruel people, terrorists, and criminals to use religion and the excuse that our constitution allows freedom of worship to hit us and bring disaster such as we are witnessing in Shakahola,” Kindiki uttered.
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