Kenyan police arrested a popular TV preacher and shut down his church as the authorities are investigating religious sect linked to the deaths of nearly 100 people.
Reverend Ezekiel Odero, known for drawing large crowds at his ceremonies, was arrested Thursday hours after police searched a funeral home near his New Life International church in Mavueni, Kilifi County.
Police said they made sure morgue attendants removed the bodies from the church building.
“This morning we have arrested Pastor Ezekiel Odero on allegations of the deaths that have been occurring at his premises,” Coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha told reporters.
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The televangelist has not respond to the allegations.
Police are also investigating his alleged connection to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie Nthingi, who allegedly told his followers to starve themselves to “find Jesus”.
Kenyan authorities have already recovered 95 bodies of people suspected of starving and buried them in shallow graves in an 800-acre forest near their church on the coast.
Many of the victims were children.
The preacher, who is already in custody, has denied any wrongdoing.
