High Court Temporarily Stops Deregistration of Pastor’s Church in Kilifi County
The High Court in Milimani has issued a temporary suspension on the deregistration of Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s New Life Prayer Centre and Church in Kilifi County. This decision comes in response to Pastor Odero’s application to challenge the gazette notice issued by the Registrar of Societies, which sought to deregister his church.
Justice Jairus Ngaah granted Odero permission to contest the deregistration, which was published in a gazette notice on August 3, 2023. The court’s decision allows the pastor to continue operating his church pending further examination of the legality and fairness of the deregistration process.
In addition to Odero’s church, five other churches, including Good News International Ministries, Helicopter of Christ Church, Theophilus Church, Kings Outreach Church, and Royal Park Home Owners Estate Association Langata, were also deregistered by the Registrar of Societies.
The judge highlighted that the material presented in support of Odero’s application was convincing enough to warrant his intervention. He emphasized the need to assess whether the deregistration process adhered to the law and was conducted fairly and legally. Consequently, Justice Ngaah decided to stay the gazette notice issued on August 18, 2023.
Pastor Odero, Franklin Kilonzo, and Alice Nafula have filed for a judicial review to challenge the deregistration of the church. They are also seeking an order to compel the Registrar of Societies to promptly accept the church’s annual returns, which have been consistently submitted since April 2023.
Odero’s legal team, led by lawyers Cliff Ombeta and Dunstan Omari, argue that the deregistration was a deliberate attempt to obstruct and frustrate the pastor’s operations. They question why the Registrar of Societies served the notice of cancellation 90 days after its purported effect. Ombeta further highlights that Odero only became aware of the show cause notice through the media, eight days after the deadline had passed.
The lawyers also accuse the Registrar of intentionally withholding the church’s file, making it impossible for Odero to meet the Societies Act’s requirements by filing annual returns on time. Ombeta alleges that this calculated scheme was designed to impede Odero’s compliance and disrupt his upcoming ‘Meza ya Bwana’ international conference scheduled to span 14 days.
This recent deregistration occurred notwithstanding a previous stay order issued by Justice Olga Sewe, which barred any interference in the church’s operation until Odero’s petition was heard and determined.
It is worth noting that Pastor Odero has been under investigation by the state for his alleged involvement in the controversial Shakahola deaths linked to fasting, as per the authorities’ investigations.
The High Court’s temporary halt on the deregistration of Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s New Life Prayer Centre and Church provides a window for legal challenge and raises questions about the fairness and legality of the deregistration process. As the case proceeds, the pastor and his legal representatives are determined to protect the church’s rights and ensure compliance with the Societies Act.
