Media-shy pastor is a firebrand preacher with a volatile history

The Neno Evangelism Centre, funded by Pastor James Maina Ng’ang'a. The televangelist has denied that he was driving a Range Rover involved in an accident that led to the death of a woman two weeks ago. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The accident, for which he has denied culpability, left one person dead and another one fighting for his life in hospital after sustaining serious injuries.
• In February 2012, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko Mbuvi, who was then Member of Parliament for Makadara Constituency, while speaking at Mr Ng’ang’a’s church said that he and the pastor had served time together at Shimo La Tewa Maximum Security Prison.

By NATION REPORTER

Pastor James Maina Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism Centre is a man with a volatile past.

He has largely remained out of the spotlight of mainstream media except recently when his was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident and made headlines. 

The accident, for which he has denied culpability, left one person dead and another one fighting for his life in hospital after sustaining serious injuries.
But the firebrand pastor is not new to controversy. 

His estranged wife, Ms Loise Murugi, sued him for full custody of their child, citing infidelity, drunkenness and abuse.

The two had been married for barely two years in a ceremony attended by then Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.

In the court documents, Ms Murugi stated: “He was a drunkard and very abusive towards me, to the extent of insulting my parents. I also later learnt that he was adulterous, sleeping with staff and even bringing married women to our matrimonial bed.”

The flamboyant pastor counter-sued and asked the court to grant him custody of the child, saying she had denied him parental privileges. 

The suit is yet to be determined.

Recently, the pastor posted photographs of his past life on his Facebook page showing his rise from a hawker to one of the country’s most recognised televangelist, whose wealth was put at Sh100 million in 2007.

The photos show him selling fruits, hawking Bibles and music CDs from a motorcycle and preaching on the street.

His story, however, might not be the regular rags to riches tale, with reports surfacing that the pastor spent some time behind bars.

In February 2012, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko Mbuvi, who was then Member of Parliament for Makadara Constituency, while speaking at Mr Ng’ang’a’s church said that he and the pastor had served time together at Shimo La Tewa Maximum Security Prison.

Pastor Ng’ang’a was a vocal “No” supporter during the 2010 Referendum campaign. After a bomb blast during a rally at Uhuru Park during which five people died, Pastor Ng’ang’a is on record for accusing the “Yes” camp for the attack.