Danstan Omari, a lawyer, has asked Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome to explain the forceful closure of the New Life Prayer Centre on Sunday, May 7, which he claims cost the church Ksh.20 million in a letter.

According to Omari, police officers forcibly entered the church owned by Televangelist Ezekiel Odero, under police probe for the Shakahola massacre, and prevented attendees from gathering.

A letter written by the lawyer to the inspector general of police reads that It is regretted that on the Sunday of May 7 2023, police officers forcefully entered pastor Ezekiel's church while other officers barricaded the entrance leading to the church, therefore making it impossible for worshippers and believers to assemble for their Sunday service.

PHOTO | COURTESY Danstan Omari

Even though the church is registered under the Societies Act, the police activities, according to Mr Omari, one of the lawyers defending the besieged preacher, were a slap in the face to freedom of worship.

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According to the letter sent by his lawyer, the Sunday losses include Kshs. 2 million in anticipated accommodation charges, Kshs.500,000 in wasted food, Kshs.500,000 in offering and tithe, and Kshs.17 million in the church's image and reputation.

At the same time, the lawyer reports that the police have shut out roughly 2500 labourers who are now working on construction projects within the compound by barricading the roads leading up to the church.

Mr Omari warned that project timetables would be disrupted with workers locked out.

The lawyer has threatened to take the IG's officers to court to demand reparations for what he deems their continuous egregious constitutional violations.

At the same time, Mr Omari stated that he would contact the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) to have the police IG investigated for possible abuse of office.

Pastor Ezekiel seemed to defy a verbal order issued by Coast Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha after his detention by joining worshipers at the spacious church in Mavueni on Sunday, just days after being released from custody.