Shakahola probe: Pastor Ezekiel Odero explains his immense wealth

Odero, who runs the New Life Prayer Centre and Church at Mavueni, Kilifi, appeared in Shanzu Court but did not take a plea on any charge as police sought more time for investigations.

The government also temporarily closed Odero's church and froze his 27 bank accounts after it linked him to the Shakahola massacre. All his crusades have since April been cancelled.

According to court documents, Odero's church was registered in 2012. The church boasts of 10 million followers and the pastor claims his troubles are instigated by his competitors.

According to an affidavit produced in court, the prosecution claimed there was evidence that deaths occurred in Odero's church, which were reported to the police on April 28, 2023.

The affidavit by a detective, Mr George Muriuki, claimed a preliminary inquiry indicated that people who died at Odero's church were buried at Shakahola Forest.

Over 420 bodies have been exhumed from shallow mass graves inside the forest. The State believes the bodies are of the followers of Odero and controversial preacher Makenzi.

"These deaths were reported to the police but at the time of reporting, there was no reason to suspect that causes of deaths were criminal in nature," states the affidavit filed in May this year.

State counsel told the court that police were investigating Odero for murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, genocide, crimes against humanity, and child cruelty.

Other crimes the State has linked to Odero include fraud, money laundering, and being an accessory before or after the commission of crimes. He has denied all allegations.

The Senate committee probing the deaths in Shakahola will release its report Thursday next week.

newsdesk@standardmedia.co.ke