Ezekiel Odero, popularly known as Pastor Ezekiel, is a Kenyan televangelist and the head of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church based in Kilifi County. He is known for attracting larger crowds than usual in his church and public meetings. In an event held in November 2022 at Moi International Sports Centre and attended by Kenya’s second lady, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, it is rumored that at least 100,000 Kenyans attended.
Few days ago he announced that he was going to hold a big crusade in Kilifi town which Kenyans around and others who had travelled were awaiting eagerly. When the crusade started they met unexpected circumstances after police attacked them with teargas and beating sticks dispersing the crowd. All this started before the crusade on Thursday 5th October when he received a letter from Kilifi north commander by name Maina.
The letter was meant to prohibit him from holding a mega crusade over security issues which were not disclosed but later it was discussed legally. This served as a warning to pastor Ezekiel and his followers that any other gathering was illegal and would be dealt with legally. The meeting was cancelled abruptly leaving the mass in suspense and they were asked to carry their belongings and go back home.
As they were packing armed police arrived at the venue and started beating everyone with a clear mission to disperse everyone who had attended the crusade. What followed was brutal assault to the followers and the pastor where everyone vacated in a hurry for their safety. Talking about the police brutality later pastor Ezekiel Odero apologized to his followers on behalf of the police asking the followers to forgive them.
He told them that he had followed the legal procedure of holding the meeting and he never knew he would call them for a mega crusade only for them to be beaten. He has made a firm decision that he was not going to fight with the police physically but he will do all that in prayers. Watch the full video below.