Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s church has been filing taxes, KRA confirms

The New Life Prayer Centre and Church of televangelist Ezekiel Odero has been filing tax reports, according to a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) document, dispelling any concerns about its compliance with the law.

“This is to confirm that New Life Prayer Centre and Church, personal identification number P051523861H, has filed relevant tax returns and paid taxes due as provided by law. This certificate will be valid for 12 months up to June 28, 2023,” states the tax compliance certificate.

Pastor Ezekiel’s church and cult leader Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International church have been given a 30-day notice to show cause as to why they should not be closed for breaking several regulations, Registrar of Societies Jane Joram informed senators on Thursday. On April 27, the notices were released.

The registrar stated that Mackenzie’s church faces closure because its goals are incompatible with the welfare of Kenyans and are thus likely to be utilized for illegal reasons.

The failure to file tax returns for the previous ten years could lead to the liquidation of Pastor Ezekiel’s congregation.

He is already fighting for a court to release more than 35 frozen bank and M-Pesa accounts, as well as the return of his World Evangelism funds.

Pastor Ezekiel and his followers were given uninterrupted access to the church property in Mavueni Kilifi County on Wednesday by the Mombasa High Court.

After the televangelist complained about the challenges he was having entering the church and conducting services because of the densely populated police presence there, Mombasa Presiding Judge Olga Sewe gave the orders.

The television station and the church in Mavueni had their operations put on hold by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA).

This came after Pastor Ezekiel was detained and charged in connection with the Shakahola massacre, which left at least 130 people dead.

A group of eight attorneys, including Jared Magolo, Cliff Ombeta, Danstan Omari, Shadrack Wambui, Brian Okoko, and Duncan Osoro, filed a petition with the High Court to have the judgment overturned.

He has argued that freezing his bank accounts has unreasonably denied him and his congregation the freedom of religion and the right to property as decreed in the constitution.

According to Pastor Ezekiel, the freezing of the church’s bank accounts is part of the unconstitutional path that the State has taken to frustrate his ministry despite knowing he is innocent of any claims about the Shakahola massacre.