On the wee hours of Thursday morning, 27th April, Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life International Church based in the Mavueni area in Kilifi was arrested by the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) team from Mombasa and will be facing charges related to the killings of his followers.
Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Administration of National Government Prof Kithure Kindiki has issued a statement over the matter and indicated that the pastor would face charges related to the mass killings of his followers.
“It is notified for information of the general public that today Thursday, 27th April 2023, Mr Ezekiel Ombok Odero the Head of New Life Prayer Centre/Church at Mavueni within Malindi Sub-County of Kilifi County has been arrested and is being processed to face criminal charges related to 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.” Kindiki stated.
It is notified for information of the general public that today Thursday, 27th April 2023, Mr Ezekiel Ombok Odero the Head of New Life Prayer Centre/Church at Mavueni within Malindi Sub-County of Kilifi County has been arrested and is being processed to face criminal charges… pic.twitter.com/78EHEoH08l
— Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) April 27, 2023
This comes after the tragedy of the Shakahola Massacre, where over 95 bodies were exhumed from shallow graves. The killings have been linked to the main suspect, cult pastor Paul Mackenzie who is currently under police custody as the investigation continues.
Netizens have urged the government to crack on fake pastors who have taken advantage of their followers and brainwashed them into some religious extremist beliefs, which in some cases ended in a tragic fate.
