New Life Prayer Centre and Church founder Apostle Ezekiel Odero has come under fire from Kenyans following his controversial remarks about the tragic Diani aircraft crash that claimed 11 lives on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

During a church service held on Thursday, October 30, the Kilifi-based preacher claimed that he narrowly escaped death after deciding not to board the ill-fated aircraft, saying he had received a divine warning not to fly that day.

“I had planned to use the aircraft that crashed in Diani recently. I had booked tickets to travel to Nairobi on the same day, but I decided to board a train because I knew I was going to die,” he said.

Ezekiel explained that he and his wife, Sarah Odero, had planned to travel from Mombasa to Nairobi via flight but changed their plans after he received a spiritual revelation while praying the previous night.

“I told my wife that if we use the aircraft, we would not arrive alive. I said there would be breaking news about my death if we boarded that plane, so I instructed her to book the SGR train instead,” he narrated.

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Public Criticism and Inconsistencies

Ezekiel’s claims quickly drew widespread criticism on social media, with many Kenyans accusing him of using a national tragedy to attract attention.

Critics also pointed out glaring inconsistencies in his account — noting that the ill-fated aircraft had departed from Diani, Kwale County, and was heading to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, not Nairobi, as the preacher claimed.

“His narration doesn’t add up since the plane was flying to Maasai Mara, not Nairobi,” one social media user commented.
“Why didn’t he intercede or pray for the passengers’ safety if he saw it coming?” another questioned.

Others condemned the televangelist for allegedly exploiting a tragic incident involving innocent lives for personal publicity.

The Diani plane crash, which occurred on October 28, left 11 foreign tourists dead and sparked nationwide mourning. Investigations into the cause of the accident are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, Pastor Ezekiel has not issued any further clarification following the backlash surrounding his remarks.

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