Televangelist Ezekiel Denies Paul Mackenzie Connection
As investigations into a starvation cult in Kenya that have resulted in at least 109 deaths continue, televangelist Ezekiel Odero has denied any ties to the controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie.
The preacher who was arrested and detained last week amid investigations into fraud, money laundering, murder, assisting suicide, radicalization, crimes against humanity, and child cruelty claims he only met Mackenzie between 2018 and 2022 when he wanted to purchase a television station.
According to Pastor Ezekiel, he does not have any familial or friendly ties to Mackenzie and has only met him once during the TV station negotiations.
According to court documents, Pastor Ezekiel agreed to purchase the Mackenzie-owned station for Ksh. 3 million, with a Ksh. 500,000 deposit, after meeting Mackenzie.
By his mission to combat poverty and illiteracy, the preacher claims he wanted to purchase a television station to reach more people.
Pastor Ezekiel claims in court documents that he was determined to rebrand the television station entirely because he disagreed with Mackenzie’s teachings.
To determine the liabilities of Times Television, he claims that after speaking with PANG, a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform, he learned that the station was only available in Kilifi and had an unpaid Ksh. 5M liability.
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The minister, who has denied ownership of Times Television, asserts that he breached their verbal agreement and instead negotiated a new deal with PANG for World Evangelism Tv.
“As a result of my desire to have a television station with a national frequency. I negotiated new offers with Pang, which resulted in the creation of World Evangelism TV and the abandonment of the oral agreement between myself and Mr. Mackenzie,” according to court documents.
According to court documents, Pastor Ezekiel asserts that he has only spoken with Mackenzie three times. And that their business relationship ended due to the strain of the TV contract.
The preacher has also refuted claims that the New Life Prayer Centre, with which he is associated, owns a hospital and a mortuary.
The minister asserts that these assertions are not only false but also have a hidden agenda.
“I am well aware that the New Life Prayer Center and Church lacks a graveyard or cemetery. “The only cemetery outside the church’s expansive compound belongs to the community that sold us the land,” the court documents stated.
“I wish to state categorically that I do not own Times TV. Nor do I own or operate a hospital or mortuary. The private mortuary near New Life Prayer Centre and Church is approximately 11 kilometers away. And is unaffiliated with the church,”
Televangelist Ezekiel Denies Paul Mackenzie Connection
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