Ezekiel Odero, a controversial preacher, was arraigned at Shanzu courts on Friday morning. Police asked the court to hold him for 30 days until the completion of their investigation.
According to the prosecutor, Odero is being investigated for murder, assisting suicide, abduction, radicalization, genocide, crimes against humanity, child abuse, fraud, money laundering, and being an accessory to a crime.
Detectives informed the court that they have credible evidence that some persons who died at Odero's church were buried on land owned by Kilifi cult leader Paul Mackenzie in Shakahola.
"He is connected to several occurrence book reports of nearly 100 deaths in the church between 2022 and 2023." "These deaths occurred within church grounds," said Senior Prosecution Counsel Jami Yamina.
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Detectives also stated that they had tracked down Sh3 million in bank transactions between Odera and Mackenzie to purchase a television station. Odera admitted buying the TV station from Mackenzie but said the deal had nothing to do with the Shakahola deaths.
In court, Ezekiels' counsel maintained that the purchase of the television station had nothing to do with the Shakahola killings. If such an analogy holds, then everyone who buys used automobiles will be held accountable for the crimes committed by prior owners, including conflicts with their spouses.
Odero was represented by his lawyer, Jared Magolo, who spent the night in the Shanzu police station.
Odero added, "People seek spiritual intervention at the last moment when all medical interventions have failed," the lawyer stated, questioning whether we should go to the pastor and blame him if such a person dies.
Shanzu Chief Magistrate Joe Omido ordered Odero to be detained in the Port police station until May 2, when the court will rule on the police's request to hold him for 30 days. The death toll in the shakahola massacre stands at 98, and the exhumation continues.
