The dramatic arrest of controversial Televangelist Ezekiel on Thursday has sparked a fresh controversy barely a week after sleuths arrested a Malindi-based Pastor Paul Mackenzie.
Although police reports indicate that the two clergymen might have been working in cohorts, what baffles many is the secrecy under which the duo operated.
According to Coast Regional Coordinator Rhoda Onyancha who briefed the media of the arrest, police have since closed down the mega church in Mavueni, Kilifi County, confiscated the cleric’s documents and cordoned the building over allegations that he might be operating an underground cult.
We have also taken action and closed down his prayer Centre going forward. We are informing the public that the prayer Centre has been closed down and whoever was in there cleared out. We will give updates as we progress with investigations
Coast Regional Coordinator
Mrs Onyancha during a midday briefing at the Uhuru na Kazi Building said the cleric will be questioned by detectives at the Coast Police Headquarters in Mombasa over several deaths reported recently as well as the secret underdealings associated with his church.
“We have arrested Pastor Ezekiel of the New Prayer Centre and Church at Mavueni in Kilifi County on allegations of the deaths that have been occurring at his premises and reported in various morgues or institutions,” said the administrator.
The coast regional security committee chair however clarified that the Thursday arrest was not connected with the Paul Mackenzie saga.
During the arrest, Pastor Ezekiel accompanied by his lawyer appeared calm in his auspicious white robe and his huge Bible, which he carries wherever he goes.
“We have also taken action and closed down his prayer Centre going forward. We are informing the public that the prayer Centre has been closed down and whoever was in there cleared out. We will give updates as we progress with investigations,” Ms Onyancha told journalists.
The arrest has come amidst concerns over a “massacre” at a vast land owned by Kilifi-based cult leader Mackenzie whose church is located in Shakahola village
Pastor Mackenzie is currently under police probe after 98 bodies were retrieved by police from the expansive farm.
The move has also sparked criticism from members of the public who blame security agencies for negligence that has seen the cult thrive without the knowledge of intelligence agencies.
Members of the assembly have also thrown their weight on the matter calling on the Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohamed and National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director-General Philip Kameru should explain to Kenyans how the crimes remained shelved from their nose.
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