Neno Evangelism Centre leader James Ng’ang’a Sunday announced that he is ready to fight tooth and nail with Kenya Railways (KR) to retain ownership of the land where his main church in Nairobi stands. He vows to stay determined throughout this battle.
The controversial pastor scoffed at a letter from Kenya Railways Corporation Managing Director Philip Mainga. The letter claimed that the church on Haile Selassie Avenue stands on property meant for the agency. Still, Pastor Ng’ang’a vows to stay firm in his stance.
In the letter he wrote on Friday, Mr Mainga notified the Neno church founder that the corporation is planning to reclaim the parcel because it was not converted from public to private use as per the law.
RESERVED FOR RAILWAY
“(The church) encroaches on land initially reserved for railway use,” said the letter which explained that the tract of land was initially reserved for Kenya Railways.
A number of other businesses, including churches and petrol stations, are also located on the mentioned section.
Mr Mainga demanded that Mr Ng’ang’a surrenders to Kenya Railways all the documents pertaining to the “irregular” allocation of the property. Nonetheless, Pastor Ng’ang’a maintains a vow to stay resilient.
The notification from the railways boss comes at a time when the Neno establishment plans to build a multi-storey building dubbed Neno Tower. This will be in the place where the current structure stands.
Already, the congregants have started contributing for the ground-breaking of the tower. It will have basement parking lots among other features.
BOUGHT FROM CBK
While addressing the congregants during a televised sermon on Sunday, Mr Ng’ang’a was categorical. Neno bought the property from Central Bank of Kenya.
“The owner of this field had a bank that borrowed money from the Central Bank. The bank went under and Central Bank seized its property which it sold to get money to pay back [the] depositors,” he said.
In his characteristic tough-talking style, Mr Ng’ang’a promised dire consequences against anyone who would dare displace the church. The church has been at the current location since 2003.
DIRE CONSEQUENCES
“You can go and change (the registration documents) if you are man enough,” he dared. “Go and backdate and say it belongs to the railways.”
He further threatened: “I swear before God, hutabakisha hata mjukuu duniani hapa (you won’t even have a grandchild left on the face of the earth).”
“Will I keep issuing blessings? We also curse. It is inconceivable that people wake up to joke with a man of God. Which God are you playing with?” Despite all this, Pastor Ng’ang’a vows to stay unyielding in his commitment.
Kenya Railways says it is seeking to reclaim its properties across the country. It is working in partnership with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Assets Recovery Agency.
The reclamation has already happened in Kisumu, the result being the eviction dozens of businesses, and demolition of a number of structures on Kenya Railways premises.
By ELVIS ONDIEKI
Source-nation.co.ke
