Led by his brother and assistant, Pastor Gillack Odero, a huge crowd gathered to protest the arrest of Pastor Ezekiel Odero. The two that is Pastor Ezekiel Odero and Paul Mackenzie, were scheduled to appear in court on May 2 on charges of terrorism, radicalization, aiding suicide, mass killing, and money laundering.
Pastor Gillack skillfully led the crowd in song and prayer, while occasionally waving his Bible to encourage them to prepare for a mega revival. Clad in all white, which is the signature dress code of his older brother, his followers responded with great enthusiasm as he continued to lead them in prayer and song.
“Can I hear from those who are ready for the mega revival?” he asked, Ezekiel’s followers responded with a resounding acclamation.
On April 30, Gillack reassured Ezekiel’s followers that his church in Mavueni, Kilifi County, would be reopened soon, urging them to remain calm. Three days earlier, Ezekiel had been arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in connection with the Shakahola Massacre. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had announced Ezekiel’s arrest and impending charges of mass killings.
“It is notified for general public information that today, Thursday, April 27, 2023, Mr. Ezekiel Ombok Odero, the Head of New Life Prayer Centre/Church at Mavueni within Malindi Sub-County of Kilifi County, has been arrested…..He is being processed to face criminal charges related to the mass killing of his followers,” Kindiki stated back then.
Upon investigation, DCI officials discovered that Ezekiel had transferred Ksh500, 000 to Mackenzie for the purpose of purchasing a TV station. As a result, Mackenzie was charged with murder, aiding suicide, promoting terrorist acts, and radical belief systems.
On May 1, DCI officers raided Mackenzie’s home in Furunzi, Malindi Town, and confiscated books and desktop computers that they believed were used to radicalize his followers. It was alleged that Mackenzie had led over 109 of his followers to starve to death before his arrest and the shutdown of his operations in Shakahola Forest.
BY SHILOH JEDIDAH