Ezekiel Ontero, one of the most influential pastors in Kenyaappeared in court today in connection with the discovery in the forest of more than 100 dead cult members who were starving to death.

The Kenyan authorities announced yesterday, Thursday, the arrest of Odero, head of the New Life Prayer Center and Church, as part of an investigation into the “mass murder of his followers.”

The prosecution requested that he be kept in custody for another 30 days.

A well-known televangelist is under investigation for “murder”, “kidnapping”, “radicalization”, “participating in suicide”, “crimes against humanity”, “child abuse”, “fraud and money laundering”, according to court documents. . .”.

“There is credible information linking the bodies found in the area (…) of the Sakahol Forest to “many innocent and vulnerable followers (of the Ontero Church) who are believed to have died,” the prosecution said.

In addition, “the police came to the conclusion that many of the murders took place on the grounds of the New Life Church, which is located in the Mavueni district, near the city of Malindi.

“God’s Chosen One”

According to information gathered by the police, “after the death of innocent and vulnerable followers (Ontero), their bodies were stored in a private mortuary in Kilifi and then removed and buried in the forest of Sakahola” located near Malindi.

A police operation in the woods led to the discovery of at least 109 dead – among them children – members of another sect, Good News International Church, led by Paul McKenzie, a “pastor” who encourages fasting followers to “meet Jesus.”

Research into mass graves is ongoing.

Otero and McKenzie are also linked to ongoing investigations into “financial investments” such as the former’s purchase of a television network owned by the latter. This network was used “to spread extremist messages among believers.”

The former Ontero fisherman declared himself a pastor 15 years ago and until recently attracted up to 40,000 believers to his church, while proclaiming himself “God’s chosen one.” His YouTube channel has almost half a million subscribers.

At one of his rallies, during which he sold bottles of “holy water” and pieces of cloth that allegedly cured all diseases, including AIDS, held at the country’s largest 60,000-seat Kasarani stadium in the capital, Nairobi, was attended by wife of the Vice President of Kenya, Rigati Gatsagwa.

The question of sects comes to the fore again

At least 22 people have already been arrested as part of the investigation into the Sacahola massacre that has rocked the country.

Kenyan President William Ruto, who compared Mackenzie to a “terrorist”, vowed to take action against self-proclaimed pastors “who want to use religion to promote a false and unacceptable ideology.”

The Sakahol massacre case once again highlights the issue of sect control in Kenya, where the majority population is Christian and where “pastors”, “churches” and other fringe religious movements are a frequent topic of discussion.

Previous attempts to adopt a regulatory framework have drawn strong backlash.

The gruesome discovery raises questions and provokes criticism of the authorities, who have been aware of the activities of the “pastor” since 2017.

Paul McKenzie was then arrested for telling children not to go to school, claiming education was not recognized in the Bible. He was accused of “radicalization” and of being the principal of a school that did not have a license to operate.

He was re-arrested in March when two children starved to death following a fast imposed on them by their parents, who then buried them. He was then released after posting a bail of 100,000 Kenyan shillings (about 670 euros).

^{Source: APE-MEB, AFP.}