Pastor Ezekiel Odero has once again found himself at the centre of public debate after suggesting that certain hairstyles could be linked to marital breakdowns.

The preacher, known for his fiery sermons and controversial remarks, was delivering a message on marriage under the theme “Receiving the Stars” when he singled out two congregants to make his point.

Addressing a young woman with dyed dreadlocks, Pastor Ezekiel claimed her hairstyle could invite what he termed a “spirit of divorce” into her future.

“This thing is giving this little girl a spirit of divorce in the future. That is why I have said I do not know if people will understand—it confuses someone. The things I tell you, you may not understand,” he declared as he gestured towards her.

He then turned to a young man in the congregation, warning him that his hairstyle indicated the possibility of multiple marriages.

“This man is young but he can marry six times sababu hana nyota ya ndoa,” he said, adding that it was not about physical looks but the spiritual influence attached to them.

“It is the spirit. Ile nyota ya ndoa ikiondoka, it is replaced by another spirit.”

The man in question later admitted he was married but struggling with his wife, seemingly reinforcing the pastor’s controversial message.

READ MORE: Pastor Ezekiel: I bought my wedding ring for 15 shillings

Online Reactions

As has often been the case with Pastor Ezekiel’s pronouncements, his remarks quickly spread across social media, drawing mixed responses from Kenyans.

While some dismissed his sermon as outdated, others argued that spiritual matters should not be taken lightly.

Instagram user njeri_kamande wrote: “Nkt usinikasirishe Ezekiel please.” Another, bad.babushka, added: “Pretty sure his wife amenyoa na avaa hizo nguo wanavaa church yake… pretty plain.”

Others pointed out the inconsistency of his claims, with gloriakim878 commenting: “Sasa watu wako kwa marriage fir 40 yrs na wako na dread.” Meanwhile, wood_ie13 argued: “This Pastor is operating from the OLD. How I wish people really read the word and understood what it really says.”

Some, however, felt there was a hidden truth in his teaching. User sarantha.migel remarked: “But ni ukweli… si munaona Carol akiwa na Mulamwah alikua na dready.”

Past Controversies

This is not the first time Pastor Ezekiel has triggered outrage with his comments. In September 2023, he courted criticism after warning men against marrying women named Diana.

“Ushawai kuona Diana yeyote kwa ndoa? Hakuna hata mmoja. Ukioa Diana ushi na yeye, yeye ndiye anakucontrol kama robot. Diana anaenda, hapo nimeongea ukweli,” he said, further advising parents not to name their daughters Diana. According to him, the name carried a negative spirit that could ruin marriages.

His statement prompted a sharp response from musician Bahati, who defended his wife, Diana Marua, with whom he has been married for seven years.

“Is this a TRUE or FALSE Prophet? Somebody tell this Pastor to stop misleading the Church. Dianas are the best!” he wrote.

Diana herself was equally scathing, calling Pastor Ezekiel a liar. “Don’t be married to Ezekiel’s! They will look you straight in the eyes and LIE! Is this the same Ezekiel that was part of the Shakahola massacre?” she retorted.