Ezekiel Odero, a pastor who is no stranger to controversy, has been granted bail in the amount of Ksh 1.5 million. Pastor Ezekiel Odero Released on Ksh1.5 Million Bail
An alternate bond of Ksh 3 million was permitted by the court on May 4, Thursday.
Pastor Ezekiel has been prohibited from publicly discussing the Shakahola tragedy during the ongoing investigations. The court has additionally instructed him to visit the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) once every week.
The file can be closed upon completion of investigations, subject to application by the parties, declared the Shanzu Law Courts judge.
Cliff Ombeta and Danstan Omari, his legal representatives, had implored the court to dismiss the police’s request to hold him for an additional 30 days.
On May 2, authorities instructed the police to detain him for 48 hours until his scheduled May 4 hearing.
Pastor Ezekiel’s New Life Prayer Centre church has been ordered by the Court to be reopened by the Inspector General of Police, IG Koome, on Wednesday, May 3.
On Thursday, April 27, the Church shut down due to the arrest of the deacon by the police under allegations of terrorism and brainwashing the congregation. Additionally, the deacon’s connection to the Shakahola massacre was also established.
Omari, the lawyer of the controversial pastor, stated that despite conducting a seven-hour search at his client’s home and church in Mavueni, Kilifi County, the police were unable to discover any incriminating evidence prior to the court’s ruling.
Omari reported that they had conducted a search for more than seven hours in the compound to locate any potential graves that may have been dug, but they found none. The lack of a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to authenticate Omari’s allegations has led to concerns about disregarding the court’s authority.
Omari had previously acknowledged to the church of Ezekiel that there were 15 fatalities recorded which had been reported to police stations with corresponding entry numbers in occurrence books (OB) that could serve as evidence.
Bishop Pius Muiru of Maximum Miracle Centre rallied a group of Deacons and Ezekiel’s supporters to camp outside of Shanzu Court and demand for Ezekiel’s release.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, addressed the issue of the Shakahola massacre and emphasized the importance of the police taking action against only Pastor Paul Mackenzie and not other members of the clergy.
Pastor Ezekiel was accused of being an accomplice of Mackenzie, alleged to be the mastermind behind the Sahakhola massacre.
Mackenzie and Ezekiel’s financial transaction has been disclosed by the authorities. It appears that Ezekiel bought a TV station from Mackenzie for Ksh3 million, out of which the TV itself cost Ksh500,000.
During an event honoring widows in Nairobi’s Kibra, Pastor Dorcas asserted that Paul Mackenzie, if found to be a criminal, must be held responsible for his actions as an independent entity. The pastor emphasized the importance of not involving his family or associating his actions with the church. Though Mackenzie identifies as Mr. Paul and not a pastor, he should still be held accountable for his individual behavior.
DP Gachagua expressed during a meeting with multi-sectoral leaders that the Kilifi case demonstrated that the church had bad individuals, just like any other group in society. He emphasized that it would be unfair to criticize the entire church based on the actions of a few pastors.
Pastor Ezekiel Odero Released on Ksh1.5 Million Bail
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