Televangelist Bishop Pius Muiru of Maximum Miracle Center, on Thursday, May 4, revealed that he aided Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life Church to establish his religious empire based in Mavueni, Kilifi County.
While addressing the media before the court hearing, Muiru indicated that his anointing helped Pastor Ezekiel take off after several struggles.
He told reporters that he only gifted Pastor Ezekiel a pair of anointed shoes which helped him gain favour and win hearts contributing to his immense wealth.
Besides gifting him anointed shoes, Muiru also disclosed that he allowed Pastor Ezekiel to preach on his TV station, Nuru TV, at the height of the pandemic, which also catapulted his rise to fame.
"He then begged me to visit his Majaoni Church which was still small and had not picked up. What I did in Majaoni is memorable to date. I removed my shoes and gave them to Pastor Ezekiel, and I took his shoes which were very old and in bad shape," Muiru explained.
"After that, Ezekiel started expanding. During the pandemic period, he preached on our TV station, Nuru TV, and he started receiving blessings step by step," he told the reporters.
Additionally, Muiru indicated that he had mentored Pastor Ezekiel. According to the Nairobi-based televangelist, Pastor Ezekiel's ministry was cultivated at his Maximum Miracle Center, where he was a keyboardist.
Revealing what prompted him to support Pastor Ezekiel, Muiru noted that the embattled preacher cancelled his crusade in Mtwapa on last-minute notice to facilitate his religious gathering.
"I had organised a crusade in Mtwapa, which coincidentally collided with his. He was not aware that I had organised mine. The moment he learnt that I had organised that crusade, he cancelled his.
"Not only did he cancel his crusade, but he also facilitated mine by giving us musical instruments and other forms of support," Muiru insisted.
Ezekiel's Empire
His empire sits on a 65-acre land in Mavueni, Kilifi County. The multi-million investment is self-sufficient with almost all social amenities.
Before he was apprehended, several hotels and malls were under construction at the facility. In addition, it was established that Pastor Ezekiel run an international school, and he had plans to set up residential apartments in the area.
Communications Authority of Kenya Director General Ezra Chiloba also suspended Evangelism TV associated with Pastor Ezekiel.
When the cops apprehended him, Pastor Ezekiel drove a white Lexus LX570 valued at over Ksh18 million.
However, Muiru dispelled money laundering claims indicating that Pastor Ezekiel confided to him that his wealth was legit.
"I asked him, my son, is there any truth on the allegations levelled against you? he told me no," Muiru stated.
