The New Life Prayer Centre Pastor Ezekiel Odero has welcomed the government’s plan to compel all religious leaders have theological certificates in their quest to lead churches
While appearing before the Senate Ad hoc committee investigating the circumstances leading to the deaths of hundreds of faithfuls at Shakahola, Odero told the committee to relook into the matter with a lot of sobriety
“I support the policy all church leaders to have theological certificates but some instances they can be allowed to stay a certain period under the supervision of the umbrella body before they join for Bible College,” Odero pleaded while distancing his relationship with Paul McKenzie of Good News International
Odero who appeared very calm loaded with comprehensive answers told the committee that his church don’t have mortuary inside, detailing some media houses that propagated negative story after spotting power room that housed transformers and generators within the church compound
On the question of money laundering the pastor said 45 000 followers offering sacrifices and tithes can’t be presumed as illicit money by any good and reasonable thinking person
“Majority of us fear participating in social corporate responsibility of the fear that government presumes their wealth as illicit money. If the churches can contribute to society, may be government would only give 30 per cent of the development and the rest is catered by religious organizations,” he added
Affiliations to political parties and politicians
Odero categorically told the Danson Mungatana led committee that he has never been affiliated to any political party or politician
“On the day opposition leader visited our church, I consulted my lawyers who gave me go ahead on conditions that he will not issue any political statement. We okayed him because other government officials declined visiting us even after inviting them to do so thus we felt if we don’t grant opposition leader space we shall be seen as hiding something,” he disclosed
Answering Kakamega Senator Dr Bonny Khalalwe if he has secret bank account and whether he has been subjected to lifestyle audit, Odero told government agencies that he has never had foreign account welcoming lifestyle audit to be done as earlier as tomorrow
“I am not a billionaire as you have alluded, I have only three vehicles and kuku, the rest of the properties is registered under New Life Prayer Centre where am the signatory for am the one bearing the vision for the church
He further denounced relationship between him and the controversial preacher Paul McKenzie of Good News International, who is presently in police custody, in Shakahola forest, Kilifi County.
He revealed the only relationship he had with the former was to buy Times TV not any other business and he dropped the plan after receiving unfortunate incidents about the preacher
He was accompanied by his spiritual father pastor Pius Muiru whom he disclosed consulting him in every decision he has been making including his lawyers Danson Omari, Cliff Ombeta, Samson Nyaberi and Shadrack Wambui
The committee is expected to conclude it’s investigations in Thursday next week after interrogating McKenzie on Tuesday and retreat to write it’s report for tabling