Police turn away hundreds of worshippers at Pastor Ezekiel's Nyeri church

The officers refused to let the worshippers into the premises and demanded a gazette notice indicating that the de-registration of the church ministry--linked to televangelist Ezekiel Odero--had been lifted.

Over 300 worshippers who had gathered for the church service were turned away.

During a press conference outside the church, lawyer Danstan Omari, who is representing the embattled televangelist, said the closure was a statement of the state harassing his client.

He stated that they would obtain a court order from the High Court and present it to the Nyeri county security apparatus to demonstrate that the church is operating legally.

"We shall serve the DDC with the High court order tomorrow," lawyer Danstan Omari told the media on Sunday, "So that they are notified that the New Life church is operational,"

"We will not stop, and we will ensure that no one interferes with article 32 of the Constitution," Omari added.  "The articles provide for the right to religious celebration," 

Pastor Ezekiel's church was one of several targeted for closure in a gazette notice dated August 3, 2023.

Other churches on the list include Helicopter of Christ Church, which was deregistered on May 19, 2023, and Good news International Ministries, which was canceled on May 19.

The Royal Park Home Owners Estate Association Langata, which was registered as a society, was cancelled on June 19, 2023.

However, on  August 22, the High Court stayed the orders that had led to the de-registration of  the New Life Prayer Centre & Church. 

Odero had filed two applications seeking to overturn the directive, but dropped the first. 

In the new application filed by Frankline Kilonzo and Alice Wanyama, Justice Jairus Ngaah granted Odero the suspension of the Registrar of Societies' directive.

He also prohibited the Registrar of Societies, its agents, or anyone acting on its behalf from "disrupting or obstructing the operations of New Life Prayer Centre & Church."

Odero was given seven days to file and serve the motion for substantive orders of judicial review.

"The respondents shall file and serve their response to the motion within seven days of the date of service of the applicants' motion," read court papers.

Directions on the matter shall be given on September 20, 2023, after the court's recess.