Pastor Ezekiel Odero Defies Court Order by Holding Church Service

Pastor Ezekiel Odero today disregarded the police order to close the New Life Prayer Centre and Church, by leading a Sunday service. 

Police had ordered Pastor Odero to close the premises following the ongoing investigation linking him and cult pastor Paul Mackenzie to the Shakahola disaster. The tragedy in Kilifi has claimed the lives of more than a hundred people with Mackenzie being the mastermind behind the occurrence. Police continue to exhume bodies from the forest.

Mr Odero led his followers through a Sunday service, defying orders by Coast Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha. The police initially barred Odero's followers from accessing the church's premises, however, Pastor Odero's lawyers Cliff Ombeta and Danstan Omari interceded. The followers had camped outside the church as early as 5 am.  

Lawyer Danstan Omari held that Ms Onyancha never voiced an order to close the premises. He further argued that Ms Onyancha issued instructions verbally. 

"The compound hosts different businesses so it was illegal to barricade the gate. We have asked the police to let worshippers in. They had no option but to let them in," the lawyer said. 

Pastor Ezekiel has been active in countering police involvement in his persecution. Last week, the pastor insisted that he never received any instruction to close the premises. Also, Lawyer Omari denounced the government's involvement by terming it wrong to barricade the gate.