Pastor Ezekiel Odero, the man who filled Kasarani stadium to its capacity and beyond, is the founder of the New Life Church Prayer Center.
He became an instant trend on KOT (Twitter) and Instagram with many weighing in that even politicians and prominent figures struggle to fill the 60,000-seater stadium.
The man of God rivalled other sermons on Sunday, attracting a sizeable crowd of over 50k for his public function.
Many had come to listen to his sermon while others had attended to get healed. Among those in attendance was Rigathi Gachagua’s wife, Dorcas who quipped that ‘Kenyans are hungry for God’.
Pastor Ezekiel Odero hails from Shanzu in Mombasa where his current church is located. He was born in Homabay County and began his journey of spreading the gospel as a fisherman in Kisumu before relocating to Mombasa as a mason (mtu wa mjengo).
He has another branch of his church that is still under construction, bigger and better, located at his wife’s home in Mavueni, Kilifi county.
He has been in the ministry for over 15 years and has been married to his wife Sarah for more than 13 years. The preacher recalls that his relatives were against him marrying Sarah because she was uneducated.
“I looked at my wife and didn’t see English but a beautiful woman who can care for a ministry,” he says.
“English can’t take care of a ministry.”
Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s New Life Church, Mavueni
The evangelist has another church under construction; the New Life Church headquarters in Mavueni. Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s mega-church project is one all pastors could dream of.
In a video captured by Ray’s family on Youtube about 6 months ago, the church project is situated on a big parcel of land. A tarmacked road on the church premises with cabro side pavement for pedestrians leads to the church.
The distance from the gate to the church is quite long, bringing emphasis on just how big the land is. The main church features six identical metal structures built next to each other.
The church also has a three-storey building that acts as accommodation and a resort for guests visiting the church. Next to the resort are the church offices, in a white building with a red roof.
Four buses lay under a makeshift garage. The buses are to be used to transport members to functions. Acquiring parking at the church would not be an issue at all, as the vast compound can easily accommodate hundreds of vehicles.
Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s residence
Some distance away from the church sits a huge white house on 650 acres of land
Unverified sources state that the newly built colossal mansion has 31 bedrooms and it is said to be the preacher’s official residence.
Much to the amazement of tweeps on KOT, some quickly pointed out that religion is as good as any business. The white, four-storey building could easily be mistaken for a five-star hotel.
A high wall surrounds the structure; notably, several Kenyan flags fly within the residence.