Court sets Pastor Ezekiel Odero free over 'lack of evidence'

The Shanzu Magistrates Court in Kilifi County has thrown out the case filed against controversial preacher Ezekiel Odero of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church.

The prosecution, led by Antony Musyoka, told the court that security agencies had conducted investigations and found no evidence linking Odero and his church to the suspected mastermind behind the Shakahola Cult massacre, self-proclaimed clergyman Paul Mackenzie.

"The office is of the opinion that the file be closed at this stage as the investigations are now complete and recommendations are contained in respective police files which have been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions," he said.

While issuing the ruling, Chief Magistrate Joe Omido discharged Odero while ordering that a cash bail of Ksh.1.5 million, which the preacher earlier paid to the court for his temporary release, be reimbursed to him.

"Having considered the application made orally yesterday by the respondent's counsel and having further considered the response made by the prosecution counsel who has filed a report vide a letter dated October 30, 2023, and further having considered the record in its entirety, I hereby proceed to discharge the respondent Ezekiel Odero," Omido decreed.

"I discharge in respect of the respondent, the orders made on May 2, 2023, and the subsequent one made on May 4, 2023. The cash bail of Ksh.1.5 million that was deposited to be released to the depositor and this file is now closed."

Speaking after his release, Odero labeled his court trial a test from God while noting that he bears no grudges against the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for probing him.

"I don't think this was about Ezekiel, this was about the church and the future. Tusinge simama imara wale ambao wanatutegemea kwa imani yao kesho wangevunjika moyo," he said.

"But kama Mungu aliona tunastahili kupitia this test, to prove if at all we are worthy, we say thank you Lord for this test. Ukweli umetuweka huru."