Police probe bodies collected from Pastor Ezekiel's church, everything we know so far

Police officers paid a visit to Milele Funeral Home which is located near Pastor Ezekiel Odero's church in Kilifi County.

Speaking to this writer, Milele Funeral Home CEO, Johnson Amani Kea, said the officers were interested in information about bodies collected from Pastor Ezekiel's New Life Church in the past.

The CEO said the funeral home cooperated with the police in the investigation but clarified he did not invite the police nor raise any complaint.

Police officers monitor the entrance to the DCI headquarters. [Source: The Washington Post] Police officers monitor the entrance to the DCI headquarters. (Image- The Washington Post) Pulse Live Kenya

“Police were here first on Monday and are expected again today (Wednesday) and they were interested in bodies that have been collected from New Life Church,” he said.

According to the funeral home, some of the bodies under preservation were of people suspected to have succumbed while seeking spiritual interventions for physical ailments.

“We can’t disclose the number of bodies because the issue is still under investigation,” he added.

READ: How Evangelist Ezekiel filled Kasarani Stadium single-handedly

The funeral home intimated that the bodies were yet to undergo autopsies and that they stopped collecting bodies from the church.

Some media reports also claim that Pastor Ezekiel was grilled by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Phone calls to New Life Church went unanswered at the time of publishing this report.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki speaking during a visit to the Moyale One Stop Border on February 3, 2023 Interior CS Kithure Kindiki speaking during a visit to the Moyale One Stop Border on February 3, 2023 Pulse Live Kenya

This comes in the wake of increased scrutiny of religious organisations following the discovery of 90 bodies in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi county.

The victims are suspected to be followers of Paul Mackenzie a self-proclaimed pastor of the Good News International Church who has been accused of influencing congregants to fast to their death.

The Ministry of Interior cordoned off Shakahola Forest after CS Kithure Kindiki declared it was a disturbed area and increased the number of police officers searching for survivors and bodies of Good News International followers.

READ: 10 little-known details about controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie

Only security apparatus and Red Cross are allowed inside the forest where the search and rescue mission is ongoing. On Wednesday, 11 children were rescued and evacuated.

CS Kindiki also declares a 6:00 am to 6:00 pm curfew at Chakama Ranch holding 800-acre Shakahola Forest in Malindi, Kilifi County.

Additionally, the Interior Ministry also banned all public gatherings in the area.