Pastor Ezekiel Odero and members of his New Life Prayer Centre and Church attended a service on Sunday, defying a police order to close the premises amid his criminal investigation.
Pastor Odero and fellow televangelist Paul Mackenzie are under investigation for the Shakaloha tragedy in Kilifi County, that has seen more than a hundred people die from starvation, under Mackenzie’s instructions.
Mr Odero is being investigated for murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, money laundering and being an accessory to crimes.
He and his followers attended a service at the church in Mavueni, Kilifi County, defying an order by Coast Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha.
The followers camped outside the church from as early as 5am but were blocked by police before Pastor Odero’s lawyers Cliff Ombeta and Danstan Omari intervened at about 7.30am.
Mr Omari said there was no court order to close the premises as Ms Onyancha only communicated it verbally.
“The compound hosts different businesses so it was illegal to barricade the gate. We have asked police to let worshippers in. They had no option but to let them in,” the lawyer said.
The preacher was nabbed over alleged indoctrination of the public. By press time, police were still within the prayer centre.
On 27 April, the regional coordinator ordered the church closed after the pastor was arrested over deaths that occurred at his premises and were reported at various morgues or institutions.
The televangelist 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. BY DAILY NATION