The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is looking into televangelist Ezekiel Odero of New Life Prayer Centre and Church over allegations of indoctrinating the general population.
This comes after he was called and interrogated for hours on Tuesday over claims that his church allegedly practices occultism.
Before Kilifi detectives, who informed him that they would summon him if and when necessary, he refuted the allegations.
READ ALSO: “Mtoto wetu hana makosa, hakulazimisha mtu”: Family Of Pastor Mackenzie defends him
A farm connected to pastor Paul Mackenzie of the Good News International Church is currently exhuming bodies from nearby Shakahola Forest, according to police who are aware of the developments.
According to officials, 95 remains have so far been found in graves in the forest.
Pastor Ezekiel linked to Mackenzie
Ezekiel recorded a statement during the interrogation led by Kilifi DCI operatives regarding his claimed connections to pastor Mackenzie as well.
Ezekiel refused to respond to our requests for comment.
In addition, the DCI team looked into the Milele Funeral Home in Mavueni, Kilifi County, which is close to Ezekiel’s church, and questioned the staff members.
SEE ALSO: Kithure Kindiki Reveals Possible Charges Mackenzie Will Face In Court
The attendants claimed they had worked properly with the authorities but refused to talk about what they were asked.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said police are looking into flashy preachers whose teachings appear to be outside the law on Tuesday while observing the exhumation procedure at Shakahola.
“Any faith that kills people or engages in criminal activities in the name of religion must be stopped, and this is the time to stop these charlatans,” said the CS.
Meanwhile, police were Wednesday granted orders to search and seize all property belonging to Mackenzie and eight other suspects.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji had on Tuesday directed the investigation officers to identify the assets of the suspects for preservation, confiscation and forfeiture.
Sergeant Joseph Yator of Malindi DCI was granted orders to search Mackenzie’s premises where he lives and carries on his business in Furunzi and Shakahola.
The officers were also granted orders to search the premises and residences of Robert Kahindi Katana, Sanga Stephen Muye, Gedion Mbithi Kioko, Joseph Kenga Mbogoli, Stephen Ominde Lwangu, Smart Mwakalama and Alfred Asena.
The search is to retrieve bank details or documents, title documents, sale agreements, motor vehicle details and any other item linked to the offences of terrorism, radicalization, or murder.
The detectives were also authorized to seize any such property as stipulated in the execution of the warrants and bring them to court for appropriate orders.
Malindi Law Courts Magistrate ordered that the search be conducted in the presence of the counsel for the respondents who will also make an inventory of the items or goods that will be seized during the search.
The search warrants are valid for ten days and the search of the premises will be conducted during day time.
On Tuesday, Haji said MacKenzie may face terror charges.
Drama as rescued pastor Paul Mackenzie’s follower refuses to eat
On Sunday, April 23, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives exhumed 18 more bodies in Shakahola village thought to belong to pastor Paul Mackenzie’s followers.
Initially, six bodies were discovered in three shallow graves; one grave contained three bodies, another contained two, and the third contained one.
Later, 12 more bodies were discovered in seven graves, bringing the total number of exhumations to 39.
During the exercise, officers discovered an older woman who was apparently in poor condition in one of the hiding places.
The woman, although being on the edge of death, astonished the investigators and members of the Kenya Red Cross when she said she did not want to be saved.
The woman resisted eating and medical attention. The lady forced her mouth shut as the rescuers tried to give her water that had been infused with sugar to give her energy.
The elderly woman gave the rescuers the signal that she preferred to be left to perish.
However, the lady was forcibly put in an ambulance by the police and emergency medical personnel, who then hurriedly transported her to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
