I Never Told My Members To Starve To Death – Pastor Ezekiel

 

Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life Prayer Centre and Church has defended himself on the allegations of extreme indoctrination and exploitation of followers.

The New Life Prayer Centre Pastor stated that his doctrines are aimed at helping the needy and transforming lives of his followers.

Odero tabled documents of his noble initiative before the Senate Ad Hoc Committee inquiring into Shakahola deaths, denying claims his ministry is embedded in false doctrines.

“I preach live but use recorded programmes at night. I do that because it makes it easier for someone to ask questions about what I preach. I do that also for government to listen to what I preach and know what I stand for,” he said.

The Embattled Preacher denied claims that his ministry was involved in the extreme doctrine of fasting to death saying he doesn’t dictate to his followers on their meal schedules.

“We have two hotels in the church and I don’t tell my members when to eat and when not to eat.I can’t be paying scholarships for children and then tell them to starve to death,”said Odero.

He told the Senator Danston Mungatana led committee that with his ministry having over 40,000 followers eyebrows would have already been raised if he was involved in false doctrines.

“If my preaching were wrong, one person would have stood up and raised concerns. Surely all members of the church can be all brainwashed. I do not advocate for exploitation or extreme indoctrination,”Odero said.

The 11-member senate ad-hoc committee was formed to investigate the proliferation of churches in the country and the circumstances that led to the deaths of over 350 faithfuls of the church linked to Pastor Mackenzie.

The senators are seeking to establish the registration status of religious institutions in the country and identify the mitigation measures in place to regulate them and combat  extremism.

The Senate committee is expected to carry out an audit of the legal and registration framework for religious organizations in the country.

Consequently, it will develop a legislative proposal on regulating religious activities and make any other recommendation that will prevent religious organizations from extreme indoctrination of their followers including radicalization, spiritual and financial exploitation.     BY CAPITAL NEWS