Inside televangelist Ezekiel Odero's 300-acre Prayer Centre

Inside televangelist Ezekiel Odero's 300-acre Prayer Centre

Lawyers Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombetta, who are now representing embattled televangelist Ezekiel Odero, took the media inside the preacher's approximately 300-acre estate on Sunday, as the investigation into the Shakahola massacre continues.

The two lawyers told dozens of congregants outside the church, which was closed down last week, that they had invited journalists from local and international media to debunk claims that the New Life Prayer Centre and Church also houses a hospital and a mortuary.

The Church Complex appears to be a conglomeration of seven warehouses fused together, stretching as far as the eye can see.

At full capacity, it has the potential to accommodate at least 45,000 congregants. 


The property includes an executive lounge, a restaurant, banking services, a living water dispensing point, an international school, and hostels.

A look at the executive lounge menu reveals that they serve everything from T-Bone steaks to your choice of pan-fried or stir-fried chicken, Fillet Mignon, and an extensive selection of non-alcoholic drinks.

A full lunch here will set you back about Ksh.2000, while dinner will set you back about Ksh. 2,500. 


During the Sunday media tour, no structures resembling a hospital or mortuary were visible, save for several stretchers used to wheel sick congregants into the church; four in working order and one with a broken wheel.

Last week, televangelist Ezekiel was arrested and detained as part of an investigation into a starvation cult that has resulted in over 100 deaths.

Police said more than 100 people had been evacuated from his Mavueni church, which had been closed indefinitely.

He is being investigated for fraud, money laundering, murder, assisting suicide, radicalization, crimes against humanity, and child cruelty.

The preacher was arrested in Mombasa early last Thursday, just a day after being questioned about alleged links to Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, the leader of a starvation cult that has killed at least 98 people in Shakahola, Kilifi County.

His arrest followed allegations of deaths at his premises that were reported to various mortuaries or institutions in the region.

CS Kindiki stated in a tweet that the televangelist was being investigated for criminal charges related to the mass killing of his followers.

”The said church has been shut down. "The over 100 people who were holed up at the premises have been evacuated and will be required to record statements,” he wrote.



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