Kitengela comes to standstill as pastor Ezekiel arrives for crusade

Transport was paralyzed in Kitengela, Kajiado county after controversial Pastor Ezekiel Odero arrived for a one-week crusade.

The man of God is expected to hold the crusade at the 51-acre piece of land that he purchased recently.

Thousands of faithful arrived at the venue as early as 9am on Wednesday. The normal bus fare to Kitengela town from Nairobi city that is usually Sh100, doubled.

The pastor was escorted by uniformed and plain-clothed police officers. Pastor Ezekiel of the New Life Church said he is opening a new branch in Kitengela.

"I want you to know that this is your land, we will no longer struggle looking for a venue to hold our meetings as this is our home," he said the pastor.

This comes days after he opened a new branch in Mosocho, Kisii county.

The pastor who preached after offering holy communion to thousands of faithful promised them of security for the five-day stay at the venue.

"I promise you that we have enough security here. You are all safe for the days we will stay here," he said.

Pastor Ezekiel said the Kitengela church will cater for Nairobi residents and its environs

He revealed that the church will be open in August.

However, in his preaching, he steered clear of his woes with the state.

Instead, he said he loves Kenya and his outreach goal is to win souls for Christ.

The pastor was recently released from police custody on a bond of Sh3 million or a cash bail of Sh1.5 million after being held for seven days in connection with among other offences alleged abduction, radicalization, and money laundering.

He is out on bail as police complete investigations.