Popular Pastor Admits To 15 Deaths In His Church

A high-profile Kenyan televangelist Ezekiel Odero has admitted that 15 people have died while seeking spiritual interventions in his New Life Prayer Centre and Church in the one year and a month it has been operational.

Odero stated that the 15 sought his assistance while in critical condition through his advocates Cliff Ombeta, Danstan Omari, and Shadrack Wamboi.

"In the one year and a month that the institution has been in existence, around 15 people have died within Pastor Ezekiel's premises," said Omari.

According to the advocate, the church has a policy that requires very sick people visiting for prayers to be accompanied by relatives, failing which no one is admitted for prayer.

"Once these people die, the persons accompanying them report the deaths to the nearest police station. 

"The number of OBs recorded with the police will attest to this. No death has occurred with the police not involved,” he told journalists outside Port Police Station in Mombasa County after joining Odero's defence team. Following his arraignment on Friday, the pastor is being held there. 

The court heard that Odero is being investigated for murder, assisting suicide, abduction, radicalization, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, money laundering, and being an accessory to crimes.

Shanzu Chief Magistrate Joe Omido ordered on Friday that he be detained at the Port police station until May 2, when the court will rule on the police request to detain him for 30 days.

The two lawyers also stated that their client is unrelated to the deaths in Shakahola, Kilifi County, that have been linked to cult leader Paul Mackenzie.