‘Empty we came…’, Pastor Ng’ang’a reacts to imminent church demolition
Neno Evangelism Centre, owned by controversial pastor James Ng’ang’a, faces imminent demolition as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) moves to reclaim prime land reportedly originally owned by the Kenya Railways Corporation but currently utilized by private individuals.
The affected properties, which include Pastor James Maina Ng’ang’a’s church and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru’s Jesus Is Alive Ministries, are part of a broader effort to address illegal land use in the area.
Other entities occupying Kenya Railways land without proper authorisation include Rubis Petrol Station along Uhuru Highway and Arts 680 Limited.
On March 6, 2023 government officials began demolishing Bishop Margaret Wanjiru’s church, leading to a confrontation and her subsequent hospitalisation at Aga Khan University Hospital.
Contacted for comment, Pastor Ng’ang’a, who was reportedly in Jerusalem, declined to discuss the matter, stating:
“I’m in Jerusalem for prayers. I can’t talk about those dramas for now. God is good in all directions; empty we came and empty we will go. Be blessed.”
In November 2023, the founder of Neno Evangelism Church secured court orders to halt any construction, sale, disposal, or lease of the property.
This legal move followed a longstanding dispute with Kenya Railways, with Pastor Ng’ang’a obtaining a separate court order in June 2023, preventing the government entity from evicting him from the disputed land along Haile Selassie Avenue.
Kenya Railways maintains that the land in question is part of a railway reserve.
Incidentally, in October 2023 the controversial religious figure publicly denounced the government, accusing them of burdening Kenyans with increased taxes.
Ng’ang’a, known for his outspoken views against the government, expressed his grievances during a live church service at the Neno Evangelism headquarters in Nairobi.
Addressing the congregation, the preacher asserted his right as a man of God to speak truth to power, challenging the authorities to shut down his church if they disagreed.
He criticized the government for what he perceived as mismanagement of the economy, stating that they were arbitrarily allocating funds while threatening to close churches.
Ng’ang’a also issued a warning to the leadership of Kenya Kwanza, cautioning them that if they persist in their current course, divine consequences await.
“Speaking as an apostle, you are toying with God, and He will oust you from the kitchen,” he declared.
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