Registrar of Societies has canceled the registration of Newlife Prayer Centre and Church linked to Pastor Ezekiel Odero who was recently at the center of a money laundering and cult investigation.
Pastor Ezekiel's Kilifi-based centre is among five other churches whose registrations have been revoked, in a move to crackdown on religious institutions.
Other churches deregistered include Helicopter of Christ Church, Theophilus Church, Kings Outreach Church and Goodnews International Ministries.
Helicopter of Christ Church is run by Thomas Wahome. He was recently accused of grabbing Nairobi Dam land. Kings Outreach Church broke away from the umbrella churches associated with Prophet David Owuor.
Goodnews International Ministries is owned by controversial Shakahola cult leader Pastor Paul Mackenzie, in whose church premises over 450 bodies have been exhumed.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 12 (1) of the Societies Act, the Registrar of Societies cancels the registration of the societies specified in the first column of the Schedule, with effect from the respective dates specified in the third column of the Schedule," Registrar of Societies Maria Nyariki.
Kenyans have complained over the proliferation of rogue churches that ride on the separation of the poor to mint billions.
Theophilus Church has facilities in Githurai and Njatha-Ini run by Bishop John Githiri and Rev Rachael wa Kuria.
Pastor Ezekiel was arrested on April 27, and arraigned in court on accounts of conspiracy to commit crime and money laundering but he was not formally charged.
He was released on bail on May 12. Pastor Ezekiel denied all the charges against him and has maintained that he is innocent.
Ezekiel sued the government in July to seek compensation for the bodily, financial, reputational and emotional investigation.
In the petition filed before Justice Olga Sewe on Thursday, July 20, Pastor Ezekiel listed the Attorney General, Inspector General of Police, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Communications Authority of Kenya CEO Ezra Chiloba, Ministry of Interior and Directorate of Criminal Investigations as respondents.
