Kenyan Pastor Arrested Over ‘Deaths’ At His Church…

Kenya authorities said Thursday they had arrested another pastor over suspected deaths at his church as police widen an investigation following dozens of deaths linked to a cult leader.

Ezekiel Odero, the head of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church, was arrested in the coastal town of Malindi following “allegations of the deaths that have been occurring at his premises,” said Rhoda Onyancha, the government commissioner for the region.

Police have not connected him to Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, the alleged cult leader under investigation for the deaths of 98 people linked to his church also based in the coastal region.

Odero, dressed in his signature all-white garb and clutching a Bible, was transferred from Malindi to the regional police headquarters in Mombasa for questioning.

The government has promised a crackdown on fringe denominations after the discovery of dozens of bodies last week on a property near Malindi belonging to Nthenge.

The self-styled preacher is accused of urging his followers to starve themselves to death as a path to God.

Most of those found in mass graves have been children, and police fear the death toll could rise as their search widens.

At least 22 people have been arrested over the gruesome saga so far.

Nthenge is due to appear in court on May 2.