New Life Prayer Centre and Church founder, Apostle Ezekiel Odero, has faced a storm of criticism from Kenyans following his controversial remarks about the tragic plane crash that happened in Diani, Kwale County, on Tuesday, October 28.
During a church service held on Thursday, October 30, Pastor Ezekiel told his congregation that he had almost boarded the same aircraft that crashed and killed 11 people. According to him, he had intended to travel from Mombasa to Nairobi on that very plane but chose not to after receiving what he described as a spiritual warning.
The Kilifi-based preacher said that both he and his wife, Sarah Odero, had been warned through divine revelation not to take the flight. He claimed that this message prompted them to change their travel plans and instead take the train to Nairobi.
“I can confirm that I had booked a ticket on the plane that later crashed in Diani. I had made plans to travel to Nairobi that day, but I decided to use the train because I sensed that death was waiting for me,” Pastor Ezekiel narrated during the service. He explained that on the night before his trip, while praying at his church in Kilifi, he told his wife about the divine message that warned them against flying.
“I even have the flight tickets to prove it. At midnight before the journey, I was praying here in Kilifi, and I told my wife that we were supposed to travel to her home using the plane,” he said.
The preacher added, “I told her clearly that if we took the aircraft, we would not arrive alive. I warned that our deaths would become breaking news. That is when I instructed her to book us on the Standard Gauge Railway train instead.”
Public Outrage and Inconsistencies
However, Ezekiel’s comments quickly drew outrage and mockery from Kenyans online, who accused him of spreading falsehoods and exploiting a tragedy for attention. Many pointed out inconsistencies in his story, questioning how his version could match the details of the ill-fated flight.
Critics noted that while Pastor Ezekiel claimed he was to travel from Mombasa to Nairobi, the aircraft that crashed had been flying from Kwale to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok County—two completely different routes.
Social media users also challenged why, if he truly had divine knowledge of the crash, he did not use his supposed prophetic powers to intercede and prevent the disaster from happening.
“His story doesn’t add up because the plane was headed to Maasai Mara, not Nairobi,” one netizen commented. Another added, “If he knew what was going to happen, why didn’t he pray for the passengers or stop the tragedy?”
Others accused the televangelist of taking advantage of the victims’ deaths to boost his public image and keep himself in the spotlight.
“Why would a man of God wait until after the tragedy to talk about it? If he was really warned, he should have used his faith to save lives instead of using the story now to attract attention,” another social media user remarked.
The controversy continues to grow as Kenyans demand accountability and sensitivity from public figures, especially religious leaders, who use national tragedies to make self-centered claims.
Many have urged the preacher to clarify his statements and show respect for the victims and their grieving families.
Join Government Official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
