Pastor Ezekiel Odero to spend two more nights in police custody

Pastor Ezekiel Odero of the New Life Prayer Centre will remain in police custody until Thursday when the court is expected to determine whether he should be granted bail.

Ezekiel, who is being investigated for the alleged involvement in the Shakahola mass killings in Kilifi, was on Tuesday denied bail by the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa.

Principal Magistrate Joe Amido granted the prosecution until May 4, 2023, to complete investigations and ordered that the matter be mentioned on that date.

The verdict was issued amidst drama staged by his followers present inside and outside the court who chanted songs and prayed demanding that the release of their preacher.

This came after the pastor had earlier on filed an application at the High Court seeking to have the Magistrate Court stopped from delivering a ruling on whether he should be detained for 30 days or not.

He defended his New Life Prayer Centre and Church saying it is well organized, further disassociating himself with controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie of the Good News International church.

“I would wish to strongly disassociate myself from one Mr. Paul Mackenzie as we do not have any close family or friendly ties,” read his affidavit.

Ezekiel asked the investigators to stop dragging him into matters that he is unconnected to, saying that he is has never transported dead bodies to Shakahola.

He said that the application to have him detained in court for 30 days was an evil creation by individuals and he believes that it is politically motivated.

”New Life Prayer Centre and Church does not have a grave yard or a cemetery. And that the only grave yard that is outside the church’s expansive compound belongs to the community that sold us the land to us,” he added.