Pastor James Ng’ang’a during a past church service. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/SasatvKE 

Controversial Neno Evangelism Centre founder Pastor James Ng’ang’a has hit back at Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris after she called for an investigation into a viral clip showing him confessing to a gang rape incident.

In a fiery response on October 9, 2025, Pastor Ng’ang’a dismissed Passaris’s remarks, saying she was misinformed and interfering in matters she did not understand.

“Mama mmoja hawa wa siasa anasema Pastor Ng’ang’a sijui nimesema tulirape mwanamke. Wewe madam, mind your business,” he said.

“I give my testimony every time. I was in prison for 20 years. Don’t try to bring drama to me.”

The preacher went on to recount parts of his past, saying he had long been open about his time in prison and his journey to salvation.

“When Kenyatta died, the following day, I was arrested in Nakuru with a gun. I have been saying those things since day one, and I will continue to say them. Nitapreach,  if you don’t like me preaching, mumeona ile crowd nilikuwa nayo maili tatu, now you are trying to cook something to threaten me,” he said.

Ng’ang’a also issued a personal warning to Passaris, accusing her of trying to use his name for political mileage.

“My sister, wewe ni kitu kidogo kwangu, wewe ni mtoto mdogo. Tafuta rika yako, don’t try me. Mimi siyo rika yako,” he said, insisting that his testimonies are part of his ministry and meant to inspire those struggling in life.

“I share my testimony so people come to church. Mimi napeana testimony yangu vile nimeokoka. Kuna watu jela ambao wanatupwa na shetani, and I speak for them,” he added.

Esther Passaris

On October 7, 2025,  Esther Passaris had demanded that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) probe a video circulating online,  showing Pastor Ng’ang’a confessing that he and eight others raped a woman.

“I have seen a clip circulating on social media allegedly showing Pastor Ng’ang’a confessing that he and eight others raped a woman. It is no laughing matter. We cannot move past such a serious issue without accountability,” Passaris stated.

She noted that while the video might be digitally manipulated, it still warranted an official investigation.

“In this era of AI-generated and manipulated videos, I don’t know if the clip is genuine or a deep fake, but one thing remains, it MUST be investigated,” she said.

Passaris further urged that if the confession was real, Pastor Ng’ang’a should cooperate with authorities and name all those involved.

“As a man of God, if the pastor did make that confession, he should surrender himself to the police, name the eight others involved, and help deliver justice for the survivor,” she said.

The Nairobi Woman Rep also expressed concern for the unidentified woman allegedly mentioned in the clip, praying for her and all survivors of sexual violence.
“I keep wondering, where is the woman today? How has her life been since that ordeal? Did she have a rape child? So many unanswered questions,” Passaris said.   By Nancy Marende, K24