Apostle James Ng’ang’a: Biography, Networth & Controversies

March 3, 2024 / ke

Apostle Ng

Apostle James Ng’ang’a is a Kenya Pastor, televangelist, musician and a business mogul. He’s the founder and head pastor of Neno Evangelism headquarters in Nairobi.

Apostle James Ng’ang’a is known for his radical practices that many deem inappropriate for a christian. On several occasion, he has been seen raining abuses on his congregation.

Biography
Apostle James Ng’ang’a whose real name is James Maina Ng’ang’a was born September 5, 1952 (Age 73). James Ng’ang’a was born into a poor family, and due to poverty, he was unable to complete his high school education and provide for himself at a very early age. This situation led him to engage in criminal activities, eventually landing him in prison in 1970 when he was just 18 years old.

While in prison, he had a rethought of his criminal life and a few friends with some cell mates made him converted his life to Christ and eventually became a Christian.

Years after he was released from prison, he became a street preacher and in 1992, he launched his Neno Evangelism Ministry in Mombasa. As the church continued to grow, he relocated to Nairobi in 2005 where he established his headquarters.

Ministry
Since the launch of Neno Evangelism Ministry in 1992, Apostle James Ng’ang’a has established several branches all over Kenya. His miracles and supernatural healings has made many flock to his congregation despite several controversies.

Neno Evangelism has its headquarters in Nairobi and it’s one of the biggest church in the capital.

Family
Apostle James Ng’ang’a is married to Murugi Ng’ang’a and they are blessed with wonderful children. Murugi is the second wife of Apostle James Ng’ang’a and they were married in 2012.

Controversies
Apostle James Ng’ang’a has been in one controversy or the other. In 2019, he was seen warning his bishops and members of his congregation not to ever disrespect his wife or any member of his family. During the 2020 lockdown, the controversial figure blabbed that he could cure COVID-19 if given the chance.

“If only the government of Kenya, actually the world would allow me. And bring me the covid-19 patients, we try God, because God has said we try him,” – he said.

In 2024, he exposes request by some pastors for Sh1m contribution to Benny Hinn crusade which was to hold in Kenya that year. In February of 2024, his church premises was among the Area marked by the Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in the effort to reclaim land parcels originally designated for the Kenya Railways Corporation.

Confession on Assault on Women
In a video which made its way online in October of 2025, it shows Pastor Ng’ang’a’s allegedly confessing of his assault on a woman.

The clip, which has been viewed by thousands of Kenyans since it made its way into social media, appears to capture the controversial preacher telling his congregation that he and seven others once assaulted a woman.

In the viral recording, Pastor Ng’ang’a was heard saying, “We assaulted one woman while we were eight people. We did it.”

While many people might be inclined to believe the viral clip because it contains the video and voice of the pastor, one has to be cautious because, in the era of AI, anything can be fabricated. However, that has not stopped the appropriate authorities from taking action.

On October 8, 2025, just hours after the video went viral on social media, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to look into the issue, and if found guilty, the pastor should be prosecuted.

“In an era of AI-generated and manipulated videos, the authenticity must first be determined,” she said. “But if this clip is real, then it is not a sermon — it is a criminal confession that warrants immediate investigation.”

Criticism
Many have criticised pastor James Ng’ang’a for his unchristian behaviour and preaching that usually don’t bring any positive changes or inspiration. Some believe a pastor should make one feel the urge to embrace Christ, yet Pastor Ng’ang’a seems to lack any real spirit.

Networth
Apostle James Ng’ang’a is one of the richest evangelical pastor in Kenya. Aside heading one of the biggest church in the country, he runs several businesses such as a car selling business, a 4-star hotel – Sunny Hill Hotel, and several properties, all raking millions of Kenyan shillings yearly. Apostle James Ng’ang’a Networth is estimated to be around 30 million Kenyan shillings.