Was Pastor Ng'ang'a's Church Closed Down? Nairobi County Clarifies

Geoffrey Mosiria, Nairobi County's Chief Officer for Environment, has dismissed claims that Pastor James Ng'ang'a's Neno Evangelism Centre was shut down.

In a statement released on Wednesday, May 21, Mosiria clarified that the county had written off the land rates the church owed. According to the county government's initial estimates, the church still owes a balance of Ksh10 million.

He further noted that Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration had made the decision to waive land rates for all religious institutions.

"Our role is not to stop the gospel. Neno Evangelism Centre was not closed down as other media houses reported," stated Mosiria

"Together with our officers were only at the premises to follow up on outstanding county dues. We’re pleased to confirm that the church has since been waived, and the hotel has paid for the Unified Business Permit."

Mosiria praised Pastor Ng’ang’a, saying the preacher had invited him to attend church this coming Sunday—a gesture he was happy to accept as a way of thanking the pastor for adhering to county regulations so far.

He also mentioned that the county was inspecting a restaurant located on the church premises, which caters to congregants, to ensure it met all required standards.

The land rate waiver came just days after Pastor Ng’ang’a publicly pushed back against the county’s efforts to charge him, arguing that former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko had already exempted churches through an executive order.

In a fiery outburst, the pastor claimed Ksh10 million was nothing to him, calling it a drop in the ocean compared to his wealth.

The next day, Sonko backed his claim, confirming that he had indeed issued an executive order during his term waiving land rates for churches and charitable organisations.

"My attention has been drawn to a video clip of Pastor Ngang'a over the unpaid rates to the Nairobi City county government.

"Yes, the Pastor is right and without fear of contradiction, I vividly remember and do hereby confirm that I lawfully, through an executive order, gave a waiver to all religious institutions and organisations, including all mosques, madrasas, churches, and even homes for the aged, the poor and children's homes," he confirmed.

"Write me a letter cancelling the waiver given by Mike Sonko, who was the governor. I've not declined to pay. Write me a letter saying you've revoked the waiver. You charge me your own rates through a letter. If you want cash, I'll give you cash," Pastor Ng'ang'a had stated.

Pastor James Ng’ang’a’s Neno Evangelism Centre. /NATION MEDIA GROUP