Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life Prayer Centre and Church has never received any training in theology, it has emerged.
In submissions to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee probing Shakahola's deaths, Ezekiel however said going to a theological school is important for church leaders.
"I have never been to a theological class. God called me and He has guided me for a long period of time, from 2013 to 2023," he stated.
Ezekiel said he is always accompanied by Bishop Pius Muiru in his crusades because he gets guidance from him.
"He tells me where I am wrong, and where I am right," he noted.
Odero further noted that Muiru has advised him to go to theological school when an opportunity arises."
"I have not yet done that but I look forward to it," he said.
He cited Peter and James in the Bible as among the first people to perform miracles but had not received any training.
"Theology is good and we should go to school, but we should not use it to punish those with a calling," he added.
The Shakahola Forest incident being probed by Danson Mungatana-led committee refers to a religious cult in the Shakahola forest led by Paul Nthenge Mackenzie of Good News International Ministries.
Mackenzie is accused of brainwashing his converts using William Branham's End of Days Theology and convincing them that starvation could hasten their escape from this life to be with Jesus.
On why he has never come out strongly to rebuke Mckenzie, Odero said the court gagged him from talking about the case.
"When the court let me out, one condition was that I desist from talking about it. I was even worried when I was coming to the committee. I was assured my remarks in the Senate would be protected," he added.
As of the end of last month, a total of 429 bodies had been exhumed from Shakahola Forest.
Data indicated that 214 died from starvation, 39 from asphyxia, 14 from head injury, while 115 remain unascertained, and others from other causes.
