Pastor Ezekiel Odero Released on Ksh1.5 Million Bail

Pastor Ezekiel and DCI Officers
A photo collage of Pastor Ezekiel Odero (Left) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers (Right).
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DCI Kenya

Controversial pastor Ezekiel Odero was released on Ksh 1.5 million bail.

On Thursday, May 4, the court ruled that he could also pay an alternative Ksh 3 million bond.

Pastor Ezekiel was also barred from making comments in public about the Shakahola massacre while investigations are ongoing. The court further ordered him to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) once a week. 

"Parties will be at liberty to apply for the closure of this file once the investigations are complete," the judge at Shanzu Law Courts ruled. 

Criminal lawyers, Danstan Omari (left) and Cliff Ombeta address the media, on Saturday, April 29, after they were hired to represent Pastor Ezekiel Odera in court
Criminal lawyers, Danstan Omari (left) and Cliff Ombeta address the media, on Saturday, April 29, after they were hired to represent Pastor Ezekiel Odera in court
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Cliff Ombeta

His lawyers, Cliff Ombeta and Danstan Omari had pleaded with the court to reject the application by the police seeking to detain him for 30 more days. 

Police, on May 2, were directed to hold him for two days, pending a hearing on May 4. 

On Wednesday, May 3, the Court ordered the Inspector General of Police, IG Koome, to reopen Pastor Ezekiel's New Life Prayer Centre church

The Church was closed, on Thursday, April 27, after police arrested the deacon, charging him with terrorism, and indoctrination of the faithful and was also linked to the Shakahola massacre.  

Prior to the court ruling, police conducted a seven-hour search at the controversial pastor's home and church in Mavueni, Kilifi County, with his lawyer, Omari, claiming that they couldn't find any evidence. 

"They spent more than seven hours looking for graves that might have been dug within the compound, but there was none," Omari stated. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations did not release a statement to corroborate Omari's claims, raising questions on contempt of court.

Earlier on, Omari had admitted to Ezekiel's church recording 15 deaths, which he argued were reported at police stations, with occurrence books (OB) numbers available as evidence. 

Deacons and Ezekiel's followers, led by Maximum Miracle Centre's Bishop Pius Muiru, camped outside Shanzu Court, demanding his release. 

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife, Second Lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, also spoke on the Shakahola massacre, urging the police to crack down on controversial pastor, Paul Mackenzie, alone than other deacons. 

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki (centre) addresses the media with government pathologist Johansen Oduor (right) looking on in Malindi District Hospital in Kilifi County on May 1, 2023.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki (centre) addresses the media with government pathologist Johansen Oduor (right) looking on in Malindi District Hospital in Kilifi County on May 1, 2023.
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Ministry of Interior and National Administration

Pastor Ezekiel was accused of being an accomplice of Mackenzie, alleged to be the mastermind behind the Sahakhola massacre.

Police also unveiled a Ksh3 million financial transaction between the two, with Ezekiel stated to have purchased a television station from Mackenzie. The TV was sold at Ksh500,000.

“If Paul Mackenzie is a criminal, he should be treated as an individual. Even his family should not be part of his crime. Paul Mackenzie is not the church. He has said he is not a pastor, but he is Mr Paul," Pastor Dorcas stated on Thursday, April 27, at an event celebrating widows in Kibra, Nairobi. 

"The case in Kilifi showed that, like any other segment of society, even the church has some wrong people. But we cannot condemn the entire church because of the activities of two or three pastors," his husband, DP Gachagua, added at a meeting with multi-sectoral leaders. 

Crackdown on Churches 

On Sunday, April 30, President William Ruto announced that measures were being implemented to crack the whip on rogue pastors in conjunction with spiritual leaders. 

"I will consult all religious leaders in the country to have a task force to weed out the characters who want to abuse religion or run businesses and do anti-religion things in Kenya," he warned during a church service at Makutano Stadium in Kapenguria, West Pokot County. 

Pastor Ezekiel of New Life Prayer Centre and Second Lady, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, at a crusade at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, in November 2022.
Pastor Ezekiel of New Life Prayer Centre and Second Lady, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, at a crusade at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, in November 2022.
DPPS
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