Pastor Ezekiel Odero: Background story, the Controversy Behind his Cult Church, and his Arrest

Who is Pastor Ezekiel?

Pastor Ezekiel Odero is a well-known televangelist and the lead pastor of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church in Mombasa, which has attracted widespread attention online because of the large congregations that regularly attend his sermons. 

He is married to Pastor Sarah Odero, who serves with him in the church. They first encountered each other in Mombasa, where Ezekiel worked as a bricklayer.

After getting to know each other better, romance developed, and Ezekiel Odero ultimately proposed marriage, despite his family’s opposition. The couple has three children, the eldest being Odero’s child from his first marriage. 

Ezekiel Odero came from a devout Christian background and was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church choir. His thousands-strong attendance at his Kasarani crusade made him a viral sensation in recent months. He was also a congregant at famous Pastor Pius Muiru’s Maximum Miracle Center church.

The preacher’s story is rather fascinating as he started out in poverty but has now become one of the country’s wealthiest citizens.

The Uproar Over Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s Cult Church

The New Life Prayer Centre and Church televangelist has been arrested and the church has been closed. Ezekiel, who is suspected of indoctrination, was arrested after being linked to the controversial minister Paul Mackenzie.

Claims have been made that Pastor Ezekiel was luring seriously ill believers from hospital wards to his church, where he would allegedly perform miracles to restore their health.

Investigators went to the Milele Funeral Home in Mavueni, Kilifi County, a morgue in close proximity to Pastor Ezekiel’s church, and questioned the employees there about the cult activity. The head of the police department believes the arrest was precipitated by rumors of murders occurring on his property.

The minister gave a tell-all interview in which he justified his decision to sell handkerchiefs and water at Crusaded by citing the money he has to spend on these items. He also said that over five thousand people had been cured by the “holy” objects, but that their effectiveness depended on the strength of the believers’ faith. 

“There is nothing special in the bottle. It is purified water. I pray for it. The clothes used by Paul in the Bible healed many people. The shadows of the prophets also had healing powers”

Has Pastor Ezekiel Odero Been Arrested?

Pastor Ezekiel Odero was taken into custody on the morning of April  27th 2023 due to his closeness with Pastor Paul Mackenzie. Coast Regional Commissioner Rhodah Onyancha briefed the media, saying that Ezekiel may be connected to multiple deaths reported on his property and in morgues.

According to detectives, some of those who died at Pastor Ezekiel’s church were buried in Shakahola. A DCI affidavit also revealed that Ezekiel bought Times TV from Mackenzie at Ksh. 500,000.

After spending the night in custody, Pastor Ezekiel Odero was taken to the Shanzu Law Courts for his arraignment. 

Police have requested that Pastor Ezekiel be detained for 30 days while they conduct their investigation and submit their findings to the DPP. 

The Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya Ezra Chioba has also suspended Evangelism TV and Times TV. The stations are associated with Pastor Ezekiel and Mackenzie.

Ezekiel’s wife pastor speaks following his arrest

His megachurch in Kilifi was in the middle of a service when he was taken into custody, and the event was being streamed live online. His wife stood up front and announced to the congregation that services would be canceled for the following few days while authorities conducted their investigations. 

“I am here to inform you briefly about what is happening. There are investigations that the government is conducting. Nothing is wrong, but we will not have our services for the next few days. I know you have heard many things on social media and TV, and this is happening to New Life and other churches, too”

Wrapping up: Everything You Ought to Be Aware Of Concerning Pastor Ezekiel Odero

• He was born in the county of Homabay.
• The New Life Church Prayer Center’s founder
• The church is in Mombasa’s Shanzu district.
• Recently celebrated 13 years of marriage to Pastor Sarah
• Has a second branch in Mavueni, where his wife is from.
• Have served in the church for nearly a decade
• He started off as a fisherman in Kisumu but eventually became a mason in Mombasa.
• Famous for the hundreds of worshippers he has hosted at his church
• His church was shut down and he was arrested on April 27, 2023.

There have been examples of people in Kenya being persuaded into hazardous, unregulated churches or cults, and Kenya is a religious society. President William Ruto hasvowed to take a hard stance against religious leaders who break the law.

Do you think Pastor Paul Mackenzie and Pastor Ezekiel Odero should be prosecuted? Is it finally time for the Government to enact more laws to regulate religious institutions?

Let us know in the comments and keep it C.O.K for more updates on this and more stories.