(Watch) Kenya Pastor in Trouble for Slapping Congregant in Church Sparks Outrage
A fresh controversy has engulfed Neno Evangelism Centre after its lead preacher, Pastor James Ng’ang’a, was caught on camera allegedly slapping a male congregant during a Sunday service. The incident, which has since gone viral, has shocked many Kenyans and ignited nationwide discussions about the limits of pastoral authority.
In the one-minute viral clip, Pastor Ng’ang’a is seen approaching the congregant—said to have dozed off mid-sermon—and delivering a hard slap to his face.
The pastor then launches into a tirade, hurling verbal abuse at the man before forcefully ejecting him from the church.
Homa Bay MP Reacts as (Watch) Kenya Pastor in Trouble for Slapping Congregant in Church
The footage has sparked widespread condemnation, including a strong rebuke from Homa Bay Town MP George Peter Kaluma. Taking to his verified X account (formerly Twitter), Kaluma labeled the preacher’s actions “criminal” and demanded that the authorities take urgent action.
“This is unacceptable. Kenya must prosecute and stop characters like Ng’ang’a, and deregister so-called ‘churches’ such as Neno Evangelism, whose leaders publicly abuse worshippers,” wrote Kaluma.
He further warned that if such actions go unchecked, Kenya risks another tragic episode similar to the 2023 Shakahola massacre, where hundreds perished in a cult-like religious movement in Kilifi County.
Woman Also Targeted
In the same disturbing video, Pastor Ng’ang’a is seen turning his fury on a woman seated next to the slapped congregant.
He scolded her for not alerting him that the man was sleeping. The woman, visibly shaken, tried to defend herself, saying she hadn’t noticed as she was focused on the sermon.
Though he initially threatened to remove her as well, he eventually allowed her to remain in the service.
This sequence of events has drawn attention not only to the physical aggression but also to the psychological intimidation allegedly employed by the controversial preacher.
History Repeats, Past Misconduct
This isn’t the first time Pastor James Ng’ang’a has come under fire. In February 2025, he made headlines for a similarly callous episode where he shamed a woman named Milka Moraa during a live church service. Moraa had appealed for help with rent after being locked out by her landlord, but instead of receiving support, she was berated and told to move into cheaper housing.
Such incidents have contributed to growing concerns about the unchecked power some pastors wield in their places of worship, often under the guise of spiritual leadership.
Legal Pressure Mounts as for Slapping Congregant in Church Trends
With the video still trending, legal experts and human rights organizations have begun weighing in. The Kenya Human Rights Commission has issued a statement urging the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to open a probe into the matter. Several advocates have also pointed out that assault, whether in public or private, is a criminal offence and should not be ignored because it occurred in a religious setting.
Calls have also intensified for the deregistration of Neno Evangelism Centre. Critics argue that institutions that promote or tolerate such violence should not be afforded legal protection or allowed to operate freely.
Public Reaction Grows
Kenyans online have not held back in expressing their anger. Many see the video as yet another example of abusive practices that hide behind religious immunity. Hashtags like #ArrestNganga and #ShutDownNeno have trended across social media platforms, with users calling for accountability and government intervention.
One user tweeted, “Enough is enough. How long will we watch people be humiliated in the name of God? This man must be stopped.”
Religious Oversight Demand
This incident has reignited debates over the need for a regulatory body to oversee religious institutions in Kenya.
Although Kenya’s Constitution guarantees freedom of worship, critics argue that some religious leaders exploit this freedom to inflict psychological and physical harm on their congregants.
Homa Bay MP Kaluma echoed this sentiment, warning that unless swift action is taken, rogue pastors will continue to thrive and endanger lives under religious pretences.
