Pastor James Maina Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism Centre has always had some rough times and received media attention for his controversies.
The 63 year old preacher has in the past been quoted saying that he is not afraid of jail and that the prison is like his second home days after he was arrested and charged in relation to the fatal accident that claimed the life of Mercy Njeri in Limuru on August 26, 2015.
The preacher who is said to have started in the streets before establishing his Neno Evangelism Ministries was on Sunday night arrested for threatening Citizen TV journalist Linus Kaikai.
In a video posted online, Ng’ang’a stated: “Mimi sijui kusoma na mimi ndio mwanzilishi wa hii kanisa. Watu hawahitaji kusoma ndio wajue Mungu (I don’t know how to read and I’m the founder of this church. People don’t need to be educated to know God).”
The preacher cautioned Kaikai from making reckless remarks and claiming that preachers are stealing from their flock.
“Hamwezi kutu block, Bunge mmeenda nyinyi, makazi makubwa mmeenda nyinyi, ministers ni nyinyi… sisi watu hatujui kusoma tubaki na kuosha barabara (You can’t block us, you are the ones in Parliament, you are the ones holding big jobs, you’re the ministers… You want us the uneducated to remain washing roads (sic)?” Pastor Ng’ang’a asked.
He argued that education was not a determining factor for one to be a pastor.
Kaikai had argued that preachers need to be regulated and ensure they have relevant papers such as certificates of good conduct and certificates indicating they have studied theology.
Rwanda
He gave an example of Rwanda, where President Paul Kagame closed thousands of churches and dozens of mosques arguing that it had threatened the lives of followers.
Pastors were required to have a theology degree before they start their own churches so that they teach correct doctrine.
The majority of churches that have been closed are said to be small Pentecostal prayer houses, with some preachers suspected of growing rich off often impoverished followers.