Here is why Pastor Ng’ang’a was denied a TV licence at the last minute
Controversial televangelist James Ng’ang’a lost his bid to set up a TV station after he failed a security audit by the government.
The Communications Authority of Kenya was in the process of giving him a TV broadcasting licence but made a hasty retreat after security agencies advised otherwise.
Director-general Francis Wangusi wrote to Mr Ng’ang’a on Tuesday last week, informing him of the decision and that he would be refunded the Sh200,000 he had paid for the permit.
“Your application was not successful after being subjected to routine security vetting by government security agencies. In this regard, the authority is unable to process your application for issuance of a licence. This is, therefore, to inform you that the authority has withdrawn the offer for the commercial free to air licence with immediate effect,” said the letter.
Pastor Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism Centre, is known for his preaching aired on local TV stations.
FATAL ROAD CRASH
He is also known after he attracted public attention by being linked to a fatal road crash for which he was charged with causing death by careless driving.
Before the cancellation, the CA had written to the preacher on September 15 last year, saying the application for a licence had been approved and giving him 14 days to confirm an agreement in writing.
He was also required to comply with the requirement to have his TV signal carried on the digital platform.
Sasa TV station, as Pastor Ng’ang’a had named it, was initially registered on April 6, 2011.
VETTING
The letters obtained by the Nation did not specify the agencies that advised against licensing the preacher.
Normally, such vetting is done by the National Intelligence Service and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is also depended upon as the custodian of a database of criminal cases.
Currently, an average of five firms apply for broadcast licences daily.
