Political leaders defend Pastor Odero, fault government for his arrest
A section of political leaders in the country have come out to defend Pastor Ezekiel Odero who is currently under police custody over activities in his New Life International Church in Mavueni, Kilifi County.
Kimilili MP Didimus Barasa and his Mumias East MP Peter Salasya have faulted the police for arresting Pastor Odero saying they should concentrate on cult leader Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church.
Mr Barasa said the mistake of one person should not see every other pastor involved in spreading the word of God being victimized.
Also read: TV stations linked to Pastor Odero, cult leader Mackenzie taken off air
“I don’t think it was warranted for police to arrest Pastor Odero. One who was running a cult and another one referring to himself as Yesu wa Tongaren cannot be the cause or a result to blanket condemnation of the church. God will punish us heavily for this. I strongly oppose this act,” Mr Barasa said.
Mr Salasya, on the other hand, said said the government should let Pastor Ezekiel be since the current situation has been caused by Pastor Mackenzie.
He also pointed out that the government had all the powers to help the followers who were being brainwashed but failed to do so.
“Pastor Ezekiel should be left out of the problems created by Mackenzie. The police, DCI, prosecutor, EACC, court etc had an opportunity to protect the brainwashed citizens but instead kept silence (sic). No one should attack pastor Ezekiel, if he acquired the station what’s the problem,” Salasya tweeted.
Also read: Salasya – Leave Pastor Ezekiel Odero alone!
Pastor Odero was arrested on Thursday by detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who grilled at the Coastal Region Police Headquarters in Mombasa County.
According to his lawyer, Mr Danstan Omari, the sleuths wanted to detain Pastor Odero for 30 more days as investigations into the matter go on.
On Tuesday this week, Pastor Odero had been grilled by detectives in Kilifi County who wanted to establish his close ties with Mr Mackenzie.
He will remain in police custody until Tuesday when the court in Mombasa will hear his bond application plea.