Sunday, May 7, 2023 –Embattled New Life Prayer Center and Church founder Pastor Ezekiel Odero has resumed services just a day after holding a meeting with opposition leader Raila Odinga at Mavueni, Kilifi Church.
On Sunday May 7 morning, the pastor with his wife Sarah Odero attended their first ever church service since being released from Shanzu Police Station, two days ago.
This is despite barring orders from Coast Police Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha who had directed that the church remains closed until the ongoing criminal investigations against it are done.
And making the reopening confirmation today Sunday May 7, Odero’s lawyer, Danstan Omari, confirmed that the pastor’s supporters had started arriving at their place of worship as early as 5AM
“The police had blocked the supporters from accessing the church. We informed the officers that they needed to produce a written and stamped document stating the orders of the closure. Since they did not have it, they left the premises and the service is continuing as we speak,” Lawyer Omari stated.
Commenting on the police directives, Lawyer Omari noted that the verbal orders from the police do not supersede written orders from the courts.
This would, therefore, see the sermon exercise at the Kilifi-based worship center continue uninterrupted despite police presence.
On Thursday, May 4, presiding Judge Olga Sewe certified as urgent, Odero’s application for the church to be reopened and his Tv broadcast licenses to be restored by the Kenya Communication Authority KCA.
On Saturday May 6, opposition leader Raila Odinga paid a visit to the establishment at around 4PM and left an hour later.
He was seen being taken round the multimillion church before having a sit down with the embattled pastor.
The church is currently under probe over claims of faithful indoctrination and deaths.
