•They argue that Odero might interfere with investigations if he is released from custody before the conclusion of the probe.
•The application will be heard today before the Shanzu law courts on whether the court will allow his further detention.
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The state is now seeking to detain Mombasa preacher Ezekiel Odero for 30 days to enable them complete investigations into the alleged murder and aiding suicide among other offences at his church in Mavueni.
In an affidavit filed at the Shanzu law courts, the state says its undertaking investigations relating to serious crimes suspected to have been done by Odero which include murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalization, child cruelty, fraud and money laundering.
According to court documents, Odero is the founder and preacher of New Life Prayer Center in Mavueni which offers social amenities including international schools, a petrol station, a hotel and accommodation for staff.
He is also said to run a TV station TIMES TV that investigations reveal he paid Sh 500,000 as part of the payment of its purchase from Pastor Paul Mackenzie who is under investigation in the Shakahola massacre.
“There is credible information linking the bodies exhumed from the 800-acre piece of land in Shakahola with several innocent and vulnerable followers of the ministry believed to have met their death in their quest for divine healing at the intervention from Odero,” police claim.
Police further claim that from intelligence information, they have established that several deaths occurred within the Odero’s church and 16 deaths have been reported in Kilifi police station between 2022 and 2023.
They argue that Odero might interfere with investigations if he is released from custody before the conclusion of the probe.
"The intelligence information further reveals that upon the demise of the innocent and vulnerable followers of Odero, their bodies were preserved at a privately run morgue in Kilifi before being transported and interred in Shakahola Forest. This information is subject to ongoing investigations,” reads court papers.
The state has also told the court that Odero and Mackenzi share a history of business investments, especially the TV station which was used to pass radicalization messages to believers.
The application will be heard today before the Shanzu law courts on whether the court will allow his further detention.