Win for Pastor Ezekiel Odero as High Court Issues a Major Order

Pastor Ezekiel Odero secured a High Court decision suspending the Registrar of Societies' instruction that deregistered his Church.

The renowned Televangelist filed a fresh application on Monday, retracting the previous one he filed on August 20.

The order was granted by the judge in an attempt to determine if the process leading to deregistration was legitimate and fair to Odero.

"Upon perusal of material placed before the court in support of the application, I am persuaded to exercise my discretion and allow the applicants to challenge the gazette notice dated August 18, 2023, whose purport is to deregister the society referred to as New Life Prayer Center and Church," Justice Jairus Ngaah said in the new application.

Franklin Kilonzo, Alice Nafula Wanyama, and Pastor Ezekiel Odero have filed a new application.

The chairman of Newlife Prayer Center and Church is Kilonzo, the treasurer is Nafula, and the secretary is Odero. They have filed lawsuits against the Registrar and the Attorney General.

In their court documents, the three claimed that while the gazette notice canceling the church's registration was issued, they received no notice of their intentions against the church.

Odero believes he was not given the opportunity to submit his argument in support of the church. The three further chastised the Registrar for neglecting to provide access to the church's information in order to file returns.

Respondents will have seven days to file their comments in the matter, which will be heard on September 20 for further directions, according to Justice Ngaah.

Through their lawyer, Danstan Omari, the three also admitted to bringing a similar complaint, which has since been withdrawn.