Police claimed that controversial Kenyan televangelist Ezekiel Ombok Odero had a role in the “mass killing” of followers when he was arrested on Friday and imprisoned for the long weekend. He was detained on his way to Tanzania on a “prayer mission.”
Just days after the discovery of numerous bodies connected to another church, Kenyan authorities also closed his New Life Prayer Centre and Church.
He was the second preacher sought this week for deceiving followers, though the identities of those he led to death have not yet been made public.
It was discovered on Friday that he and the other preacher, Paul Mackenzie, had drawn followers from as far out as neighboring Tanzania and Uganda.
The police reported that they had identified 110 dead from unmarked graves.
Tanzania, too, has its fair share of faith ministers calling themselves prophets, bishops, pastors, while spreading dubious messages about Christianity to gullible followers.
In February 2020, at least 20 people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede at the Arise and Shine Ministry church in Moshi run by populist preacher Boniface Mwamposa. He had challenged members of his congregation to step barefooted on hot cooking oil which he claimed had healing powers.
Mwamposa was arrested a few days later in Dar es Salaam where he had fled to following the tragedy. But he was eventually released after being absolved of blame and his church is still very much in operation.
Several other Tanzanian preachers of similar ilk have got into trouble with authorities for promoting known vices such as excessive alcohol consumption and open sexual intercourse on the pretext of sourcing their inspiration from the Bible.