A Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) document confirms that televangelist Ezekiel Odero’s New Life Prayer Centre and Church has been filing tax returns, removing any doubt about its compliance with the law.
“This is to confirm that New Life Prayer Centre and Church, personal identification number P051523861H, has filed relevant tax returns and paid taxes due as provided by law. This certificate will be valid for 12 months up to June 28, 2023,” states the tax compliance certificate.
Registrar of Societies Jane Joram told senators on Thursday that Pastor Ezekiel’s church and cult leader Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International church had been served with a 30-day notice to show cause why they should not be closed for violating some regulations. The notices were issued on April 27th.
According to the registrar, Mackenzie’s church faces closure because its goals are likely to be used for illegal purposes, which are incompatible with the welfare of Kenyans.
Pastor Ezekiel’s church is facing closure because it has failed to file tax returns for the last ten years.
As investigations into the Shakahola massacre continue, he is already fighting for a court to unfreeze his bank and M-Pesa accounts, as well as the restitution of his World Evangelism television station.
On Wednesday, the Mombasa High Court granted Pastor Ezekiel and his followers access to the church premises in Mavueni Kilifi County, as well as uninterrupted services.
Mombasa Presiding Judge Olga Sewe granted the orders after the televangelist complained about difficulties accessing the church and conducting services due to heavy police presence.
The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) shut down the Mavueni television station and church.
This came after Pastor Ezekiel was arrested and charged in connection with the Shakahola massacre, which claimed at least 130 lives.
He did, however, file an appeal with the High Court through a team of eight lawyers that included Jared Magolo, Cliff Ombeta, Danstan Omari, Shadrack Wambui, Brian Okoko, and Duncan Osoro.
Pastor Ezekiel has called the allegations against him unsubstantiated, scandalous, and false, and he has denied any involvement in the Shakahola mass murder or any association with Mackenzie.
He claims that freezing his bank accounts violated his and his congregation’s constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion and right to property.
According to Pastor Ezekiel, the freezing of the church’s bank accounts is part of the State’s unconstitutional strategy to stymie his ministry, despite the fact that he is innocent of any claims about the Shakahola massacre.
He has sued Attorney-General Justin Muturi, Inspector-General of Police Japheth Koome, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the CA and its chief officer Ezra Chiloba, and the Interior Ministry.
Interested parties include the Assets Recovery Agency, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the National Council of Churches of Kenya.
Both Mackenzie and Pastor Ezekiel are being investigated for aiding suicide, murder, abduction, radicalization, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, and money laundering, as well as being accessories before or after the fact.
