Cult deaths probe: Detectives say people who died at Pastor Ezekiel's church were buried in Shakahola
Pastor Ezekiel Odero (in white robe) in the dock on April 28, 2023.
What you need to know:
- Detectives claim 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.
Controversial preacher Ezekiel Odero and Kilifi cult leader Paul Mackenzie are not strangers to one another, a Shanzu court heard on Friday.
Detectives said they had unearthed a link between Mr Odero of the Mavueni-based New Life Church and Mr Mackenzie, who allegedly convinced his followers to starve to death so that they could meet God.
Pastor Ezekiel Odera in the dock on April 28, 2023.
The prosecutor told the court there is credible evidence that some people who died at Pastor Odero’s church were buried in a piece of land in Shakahola belonging to Mr 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.
Detectives also said they had traced Sh3 million in financial transactions between Mr Odero and Mr Mackenzie for the purchase of a TV station.
Bishop Pius Mwiru follows court proceedings when Pastor Ezekiel Odero was arraigned in Shanzu on April 28, 2023.
Mr Odero admitted to buying the TV station from Mr Mackenzie, but said the business transaction should not be linked to the Shakahola deaths.
"The buying of the TV station cannot be connected to the Shakahola killings. If such an analogy were to be sustained, then all of us who have bought second-hand cars would be held responsible for the crimes committed by previous owners, including the fights with their spouses," his lawyer Jared Magolo argued in court.
Pastor Ezekiel Odero's wife Sarah (right) with other family members follow proceedings in court on April 28, 2023.
Odero spent the night at the Shanzu police station.
On the deaths recorded at Odero's church in Mavueni, his lawyer said: "People seek spiritual intervention at the last moment when every medical intervention has failed. Now if such a person dies, are we supposed to turn to the pastor and blame him for the death?"
Police requested the court to detain the pastor for 30 days pending the completion of investigations.
Mr Odero is being investigated for murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, money laundering and being an accessory to crimes, the court heard.
Shanzu Chief Magistrate Joe Omido ordered Mr Odero to be detained at Port police station until May 2 when the court will deliver a ruling on the police application to detain him for 30 days.
