March 20, 2019
Televangelist James Ng’ang’a was on Tuesday arraigned in court over threats he made to TV journalist Linus Kaikai who in a recorded TV opinion had taken to condemn fake preachers who were misleading their followers for selfish financial gains.
Televangelist James Ng’ang’a was on Tuesday arraigned in court over threats he made to TV journalist Linus Kaikai.
Pastor Ng’ang’a was charged with an offence of incitement to violence and disobedience of the law in a Kiambu court, where he denied the criminal charge and was released on a cash bail of Sh200,000 or bond of Sh300,00 pending the pre-trial hearing on April 3, 2019.
The controversial preacher was arrested on Sunday night at his church in Nairobi and locked up at Muthaiga Police Station after Kaikai made a complaint to the police over the alleged threat to his life.
Nga’ng’a made the threatening remarks against Kaikai while hitting back at the journalist for calling out fake preachers.
“I’m telling you like a Chief General Commander, you have to stop that, if you don’t stop, I promise you will face the consequences,” the preacher warned.
Kai Kai in a recorded TV opinion had taken to condemn fake preachers who were misleading their followers for selfish financial gains and urged the government to come up with regulations akin to that of Rwanda to shut down churches whose pastors did not possess theological degrees.
“We are dealing with thieves, not men of God. These are cold-blooded evangelical vampires living off the blood of their flock, in the name of Jesus,” Kaikai stated.
The current drama facing Pastor Ng’ang’a is the latest scandal that the controversial preacher is involved in.
PASTOR NG’A NG’A CHARGED WITH CAUSING DEATH THROUGH RECKLESS DRIVING
In 2015 Ng’a Ng’a was arrested following a road accident along Nairobi-Nakuru highway on July 26 in which he was linked, that left a woman dead and at least two others injured.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko had following the recommendations of Inspector General, Joseph Boinnet given the green light for Ng’ang’a be charged with causing death through reckless driving.
In May 2018 however, a magistrate judge at the Limuru Law Courts acquitted Ng’ang’a of the crime saying said that the prosecution failed to prove that Ng’ang’a was driving the range rover when the accident occurred.
The ruling by chief magistrate Godfrey Oduor sparked a public uproar with Kenyans on Twitter protesting under the hashtag #JusticeForMercyNjeri to condemn the ruling.
Witnesses, some who testified in court, had told the police that the Range Rover was being driven recklessly on the wrong side of the road, with a chase car behind when it collided with another car. According to first respondents accounts, Ng’ang’a allegedly jumped out of the vehicle soon after the accident and got into the chase car before it sped off.
MATIANG’I ORDERS FRESH PROBE IN NG’ANG’A ACCIDENT CASE
A day after his acquittal, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i ordered for a fresh probe in the case involving Pastor James Ng’ang’a.
Matiang’i said the Interior ministry noted with surprise that the pastor was acquitted “yet a brazen crime was committed by the accused person”.
Matiang’i further asked the DCI to appeal the ruling and take action against anyone found guilty for improper handling of the case.
“While seeking a report on the investigatory and trial processes that may have caused this outcome, I urge you to appeal this judgment in its entirety and pursue justice for the victims herein and the people of Kenya,” he said.
TAGSSeptember 25, 2024