Popular televangelist Pastor Ezekiel Odero has suffered a major legal setback after the Court of Appeal declined to reinstate the license of his New Life Prayer Centre and Church in Kilifi.
This decision comes following the closure of the church last year, after it was found not to be properly registered, along with several other religious institutions facing similar scrutiny.
This morning, a panel of three judges—Justices Daniel Musinga, Kathurima Minoti, and M. Gachoka—ruled that Pastor Odero had not exhausted the necessary mechanisms before moving to court.
The Court agreed with High Court Justice Jairus Ngaah’s earlier decision, which had emphasized that Odero should have first approached the Cabinet Secretary (CS) responsible for religious organizations before seeking legal intervention.
The court, in its decision, highlighted the importance of following legal protocols, stating: “In light of the consistent decisions of this Court and the Supreme Court that a party must first invoke the dispute resolution mechanisms provided by the law before resorting to the High Court or courts of equal status, we are satisfied that the intended appeal is not arguable.”
Pastor Ezekiel Odero had appealed the suspension of his church’s license, arguing that the High Court’s ruling was erroneous. However, his appeal has been dismissed, leaving the televangelist with limited options moving forward.
The church, which had briefly reopened after securing temporary orders halting its closure, now faces an uncertain future as legal processes continue.
Pastor Ezekiel’s case is part of a broader pattern of rising controversies surrounding religious institutions in Kenya, especially involving charismatic televangelists.
In recent years, many churches have come under scrutiny for flouting registration regulations, engaging in unethical practices, and exploiting their congregations.
One of the most prominent cases was that of Pastor Paul Mackenzie, whose church, Good News International, was implicated in a disturbing cult-like movement that allegedly led to the deaths of over 400 people in Shakahola Forest, Kilifi County.
The victims, who were reportedly followers of Mackenzie, were encouraged to starve themselves to “meet Jesus.” This revelation shocked the country and prompted the government to take decisive action against rogue churches.
Following the Mackenzie case, authorities intensified a crackdown on unregistered and controversial churches, sparking debate about religious freedom versus regulation. Many charismatic leaders, including Pastor Ezekiel, found themselves entangled in legal battles over the validity of their operations.
Pastor Ezekiel, who commands a large following through televised sermons and religious programs, has denied any involvement in illegal practices but continues to face legal challenges regarding the legitimacy of his church’s registration.
The government has been under increasing pressure to regulate churches to prevent further cases of exploitation and criminal activity under the guise of religion.
Several religious leaders have been accused of taking advantage of vulnerable congregants through “miracle healing” claims and excessive tithing demands.
In response to these controversies, the government has floated proposals to introduce stricter regulatory frameworks for religious organizations.
These include mandatory registration, regular audits, and clear codes of conduct for religious leaders. The aim is to prevent the rise of cults and religious exploitation while safeguarding the right to worship freely.
However, the crackdown has also attracted criticism, with some arguing that it infringes on religious freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.
Several pastors have argued that they are being unfairly targeted for political reasons, or because of their growing influence in Kenya’s socio-political landscape.
Read Also: Pastor Ezekiel Still Under Investigation Following the Shakahola Massacre
