Friday, April 28, 2023 –Coastal-based Preacher Ezekiel Odero used to ferry dead bodies from his church to Shakahola Forest where they would be buried.
Odero was on Friday April 28 morning arraigned in Shanzu Court where the detectives requested the court to detaine the preacher for another 30 days pending completion of investigations.
The court heard that the man of cloth had been ferrying bodies to Shakahola Forest where his accomplice, Pastor Paul Mackenzie, plied his trade from.
Police claimed they have credible evidence that some people who died at Odero’s church were buried in a piece of land in Shakahola belonging to Kilifi cult leader Paul Mackenzie.
“He is linked to several occurrence book reports of almost 100 deaths that occurred in the church between 2022 and 2023. These deaths occurred within church precincts,” Senior Prosecution Counsel Jami Yamina told the court.
Additionally, the detectives also said that they have traced sh 3 million in financial transactions between Odera and Mackenzie for the purchase of a Tv station.
Odero, who spent the night at the Shanzu police station, was represented by his lawyer Jared Magolo who claimed that the prosecution was struggling to fish for evidence.
Pastor Ezekiel, just like his counterpart Paul Mackenzie, was arrested and taken in for questioning over the alleged indoctrination and deaths of his church members.
Ezekiel runs New International Life Church, based in Kilifi County.
