Ezekiel Odero Appeals Against Church Deregistration, Insists Church Is On: "Until 90 Days"

• Pastor Ezekiel Odero said the move by the government to deregister his ministry is illegal and should be set aside
• Through his lawyers, Pastor Ezekiel Odero wants the Attorney General to address the matter within 90 days from today
• Danstan Omari wondered why the Gazette Notice was issued today and yet the cancellation was done in May

Mombasa - Pastor Ezekiel Odero has appealed the Registrar of Societies' move to deregister his ministry -Newlife Prayer Centre and Church.

The cleric said the move by the government to deregister his ministry is illegal and should be set aside.

Through his lawyers, Ezekiel wants the Attorney General to address the matter within 90 days from today.

Why Pastor Ezekiel appealed

Ezekiel, through his lawyers, says that through that appeal the church remains open as they wait for the AG's communication.

"This is a bid to frustrate his ministry. We are acting in speed seeking that the AG considers us," said lawyer Martina Swiga.

Citizen Digital reported that the lawyers wondered why the Gazette Notice was issued today and yet the cancellation was done in May.

"It's suspicious. It's a clear manifestation against Pastor Ezekiel," they said.

"Notices to close have never been served. No notice to show cause has been issued as provided by the rules as required by the constitution," said lawyer Danstan Omari.

Through a gazette notice dated August 3, 2023, four other churches have been deregistered.

Other churches are Goodnews International Ministries which was cancelled on May 19, and Helicopter of Christ Church which was deregistered on May 19, 2023.

The Royal Park Home Owners Estate Association Langata which was registered as a society was cancelled on June 19, 2023.

How Omari took on the gov't

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Omari accused the government of having an ulterior motive in the deregistration of the Newlife Prayer Centre and Church.

During a press briefing on Friday, August 18, outside Milimani Law Courts, the lawyer claimed the government was out to take the church's property which he claimed to be valued at trillions of shillings.

Omari said to set everything clear; none of the property was registered in the embattled preacher's name.

He explained that they were registered under Newlife Prayer Centre and Church, adding that nationalising it later would be stealing from Kenyans who contributed to the property.