During the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee investigation into the Shakahola killings, controversial televangelist Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life Prayer Centre spoke out for the first time about his enormous fortune.
Pastor Ezekiel spoke before the committee on Friday, attributing his fortune to church funds and stating that the vehicles and houses he uses are all owned by the church.
He listed all of the church’s properties, including an international school in Kilifi County.
The evangelist claimed that the school has an Olympic-sized swimming pool and contemporary laboratories that are far superior to those found in certain Kenyan universities.
Odero also revealed that the church has a modern hotel that is open 24 hours a day. He went on to say that the hotel was primarily built to feed church members.
“A nine and half-acre dam has also been built by church offerings and acts as a source of water for Kilifi residents,” the leader of the church said.
“I urge the government with humility to come and verify what am saying,” he said.
In contrast, he stated that the church has sponsored over 200 children who are currently enrolled in various secondary schools.
When asked about his own fortune, the apostle denied buying personal homes with congregants’ money, stating that he raises chickens to pay his children’s schooling and other personal interests.
“I don’t use church funds for personal gain.” “I told my wife and children that no one would benefit from church funds,” he said.
The Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana-led Ad-hoc Committee is investigating the circumstances surrounding the murders of followers of controversial Good News International Church pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is currently in police detention.
