New Life Prayer Centre and Church founder Pastor Ezekiel Odero has ignited intense public debate after delivering a blunt sermon in which he dismissed wedding ceremonies as deceptive performances that conceal the realities of marriage.
Speaking during a recent church gathering, the controversial preacher argued that weddings have drifted far from their intended purpose and have instead become stages for pride, ego, and social validation. According to Ezekiel, the ceremony often presents a false picture of marital bliss while ignoring the challenges that follow once the celebrations end.
He described weddings as “ni uongo” a lie insisting that nearly everyone involved contributes to the deception. In his view, couples exaggerate promises they are unprepared to keep, parents glorify the event without preparing their children for marriage, and pastors officiate ceremonies without confronting hard truths.
“People lie to each other at weddings. The man lies, the woman lies, parents lie, and even the pastor lies,” Ezekiel told his congregation.
The preacher criticised clergy who focus on delivering uplifting messages while avoiding honest conversations about responsibility, conflict, sacrifice, and endurance in marriage. He likened weddings to performances where appearances matter more than preparation, warning believers against confusing ceremony with commitment.
Ezekiel further argued that the pressure to host lavish weddings pushes couples into financial strain before marriage even begins. In his view, debt, fundraising, and unrealistic expectations weaken unions long before they are tested by real life.
His remarks come amid a growing national conversation about the cost and meaning of modern weddings in Kenya. Many young couples have increasingly questioned the necessity of expensive ceremonies, with some opting for simpler unions focused on legal and spiritual commitments rather than spectacle.
The debate was reinforced by comments from Seventh Day Adventist preacher Elizabeth Mokoro, who has also urged couples to rethink extravagant weddings. Mokoro has repeatedly stated that a white wedding is not a biblical requirement and that marriage can be solemnised simply, without excessive spending.
She warned that pouring hundreds of thousands of shillings into a single day often delays financial stability, advising couples to invest in housing, businesses, or savings instead.
Pastor Ezekiel’s sermon has drawn mixed reactions online, with supporters praising his honesty while critics accuse him of dismissing cultural and spiritual traditions. Regardless of the divide, his message has succeeded in forcing a difficult but necessary conversation.
