Editor's Review

I spent millions in these mega rallies but winning souls is the target - Pastor Ezekiel.

New Life Prayer Center and Church founder Pastor Ezekiel Odero now says holding preaching rallies is a costly venture.

Speaking to the press in Nairobi on Saturday, July 1, the televangelist disclosed a mega rally could cost lots of millions owing to logistics and such costs.

The preacher is Nairobi for a two-day mega crusade at the Jacaranda grounds.

He however says a soul saved in a single rally overrides the millions spent there.

Pastor Ezekiel Odero at a past preaching rally in Nairobi.

"The truth is when we hold these rallies, we aim at saving souls, deliverance and healing. A rally would cost millions of shillings. 

"But even if we use like Ksh 10 million, but a soul is saved, then we're good. That one person could have used to destroy lots of people. So organising a mega rally costs millions, not even hundreds of thousands, but we thank God for his provision," he said.

The crusade in Nairobi's Jacaranda grounds is Ezekiel's second one since he was released from police detention.

The cleric had been detained as the state embarked on a probe into his conduct after being linked with money laundering and indoctrination of his faithful.

He was in Kisii a couple of weeks back; he presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for an upcoming branch of his church.

The preacher's church headquartered in Mavueni, Kilifi county, is said to be a multi-million shilling development.

Besides the church, Ezekiel runs an international school and a hospital among other facilities.

His woes with the state in April was fanned by the happenings in Shakahola where another preacher, Pastor Paul Mackenzie, was found to have been running deadly cultic practices.

Mackenzie is accused of subjecting the faithful of his Good News International church to compulsory fasting with the intent of meeting God.

Hundreds died and their remains interred in shallow graves in the vast Shakahola forest.

Mackenzie is still in police custody as investigators continue with their probe.