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Controversial preacher James Ng'ang'a of Neno Evangelism Centre has once again found himself in the public spotlight after a Nairobi Member of Parliament reported him to the National Assembly. The MP raised concerns over Ng'ang'a's recent behavior and questioned the ownership of the land on which his church stands. The issue has now attracted the attention of parliamentary committees and investigators, who want the outspoken preacher to explain himself.
The report comes after a video circulated online showing Pastor Ng'ang'a slapping a man who had dozed off during a church service. The incident caused public outrage, with many Kenyans calling it an abuse of power and respect. George Kaluma, the Homa Bay Town MP, urged the authorities to investigate the matter and even suggested that the pastor should be prosecuted for his actions. He also asked that Neno Evangelism Centre be deregistered if found to be operating unlawfully.
At the same time, another issue has resurfaced involving the ownership of land where Neno Evangelism Centre is built. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and Kenya Railways Corporation have raised questions about whether the land actually belongs to the church or is public property. Parliament's Lands Committee has since summoned Ng'ang'a to present documents proving legal ownership of the land.
In his defense, Pastor Ng'ang'a maintains that the land was purchased lawfully from the Central Bank of Kenya in 2004 for about Ksh 42 million. He claims to have obtained a loan from Equity Bank to buy the land and completed payment by 2008. Speaking before Parliament, he insisted that the church's property is legitimate and that "God is not a land grabber." He has also requested more time to present ownership documents and other records that support his claims.
It remains uncertain whether the abrasive preacher will fully cooperate with the investigators. While he has already appeared before Parliament and promised to share documents, questions remain about the validity of his evidence. Some agencies say their records do not fully match his claims. The next few weeks will determine whether Ng'ang'a clears his name or faces further legal trouble as the investigation continues.