Popular televangelist Ezekiel Odero has suffered a fresh blow after the Court of Appeal declined to reinstate the license of his New Life Prayer Centre and Church.
The Kilifi-based church was among many others that were closed after their licences were cancelled by virtue of not being properly registered. This was in the wake of the Shakahola massacre.
These churches, however, got orders stopping their closure, albeit temporarily.
A three-judge bench ruled that Pastor Ezekiel failed to exhaust all mechanisms before approaching the appellate court.
“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 or equal status, we are satisfied that the intended appeal is not arguable,” Justices Daniel Musinga, Kathurima Minoti, and M. Gachoka ruled.
Justice Jairus Ngaah of the High Court had suspended Pastor Ezekiel’s church license. Pastor Ezekiel then moved to the appellate court, faulting the lower court ruling.
More to follow
