Didmus Barasa: Arresting Pastor Ezekiel was unnecessary

Ezekiel is suspected to have buried some of his church members in Pastor Mackenzie's land in Shakahola.

• Didmus says if Ezekiel is to be arrested Yesu Wa Tongaren should also be arrested.

• Pastor Ezekiel is currently in custody.

He now says it was unnecessary to arrest Pastor Ezekiel.
Didmus Barasa. He now says it was unnecessary to arrest Pastor Ezekiel.
Image: Twitter

Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa says it was not necessary for the government to arrest Pastor Ezekiel.

The man of God is currently under custody after it was alleged some of his church members are buried in Shakahola, a land owned by Pastor Mackenzie.

Through Twitter, Didmus now says even the famous Yesu Wa Tongaren should be arrested as his church is also a cult.

"I don't think it was warranted for police to arrest Pastor Ezekiel Odero. 

One criminal who was running a cult and another one referring to himself as Yesu wa Tongaren cannot be the cause and or result of a blanket condemnation of the church. 

God will punish us heavily for this...... I strongly oppose this act."

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said that Televangelist Ezekiel Odero will be charged with mass killings of his followers.

Kindiki's remarks came shortly after the pastor was arrested and taken to the Coast police headquarters.

The CS said Ezekiel is currently being processed for the same.

"It is notified for information of the general public that today, Thursday, 27th April 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 and is being processed to face criminal charges related to the mass killing of his followers," Kindiki said.

He was arrested a day after facing the Directorate of Criminal Investigation officers for questioning.

Previously the Interior CS has now says that over 100 people found at Televangelist Ezekiel Odero's church at the time of his arrest will record statements with the police.

In a statement, Kindiki said the individuals who are believed to have been hiding at the premises have been evacuated.

He added that the preacher is currently being processed to face charges. The CS also said that the church has been shut down.

"The said Church has been shut down. The over 100 people who were holed up at the premises have been evacuated and will be required to record statements," he added.

  Pastor Ezekiel who was arrested on Thursday morning was taken to the Coast Police headquarters for questioning.

The pastor was also grilled on Wednesday for hours over claims his church is involved in occultism.

Police said the move to summon him on Wednesday was prompted by the ongoing exhumation of bodies from a farm in Shakahola Forest.

The farm is linked to pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church.

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