NAIROBI, KENYA – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, informed the Senate that no legal action has been initiated against Pastor James Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism Centre because no formal complaint was filed after a video of him slapping a male congregant went viral. The incident, which occurred during an overnight prayer service on Friday, April 18, 2025, has reignited a national debate on the accountability of religious leaders and the obligations of law enforcement in the face of public evidence of a crime.

Addressing the Senate, CS Murkomen stated that despite the video evidence, the hands of the National Police Service are tied. "The incident was neither reported at the nearest police station, which is the Parliament police station, nor at any other police station," Murkomen explained. "When they don't record a statement, very little can be done by the police, even though you can see it is an act which is repugnant to justice and morality."

The Cabinet Secretary's statement came in response to questions from Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, who questioned the government's inaction amid growing concerns over spiritual abuse. Murkomen acknowledged the challenge, suggesting that congregants are often hesitant to report abuse due to "the extent of loyalty, or brainwashing even," which prevents them from coming forward. "We are witnessing a lot of these issues in churches and purported churches or religious centres, where people are being whipped; adults, being whipped, some are being slapped, some are being sat on, as part of the impartation of Holy Spirit and so forth," he conceded.

Legal Framework and Police Mandate

The incident and the subsequent official response highlight a critical juncture in Kenyan law. Under Section 251 of the Penal Code, assault causing actual bodily harm is a misdemeanour liable to imprisonment for five years. Legal analysts argue that the video provides sufficient grounds for the police to initiate an investigation without a victim's formal report. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has the constitutional mandate under Article 157 to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person for any offence alleged to have been committed. Furthermore, the National Police Service is empowered to investigate crime, and there is precedent for law enforcement acting on evidence that enters the public domain, including via social media.

Critics of the government's position argue that waiting for a formal complaint in cases of publicly witnessed potential crimes sets a dangerous precedent. Following the incident in April, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma called for the immediate investigation and deregistration of Neno Evangelism Centre, warning that Kenya could not afford a repeat of past tragedies linked to religious extremism. The Atheists in Kenya Society also announced its intention to file a formal complaint with the Registrar of Societies, condemning the act as an unacceptable physical assault.

The Victim's Account

The congregant identified in the video, Willy Mwangi, a resident of Dandora, has since come forward expressing humiliation and distress. In May 2025, Mwangi stated that the incident had damaged his reputation and ability to earn a living. He claimed that Pastor Ng'ang'a had only given him a suit and a pair of shoes, not financial compensation as some had speculated. "What happened has upset me. Someone slapped me at the church and didn't even ask why I was sleeping there... My life is now in danger because I don't know what will happen to me — I have no security," Mwangi lamented. This contradicts a later appearance at the church where the man, identified as the same individual, called the slap a "blessing" necessary for his spiritual healing. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED on the conflicting reports from the victim.

A Pattern of Controversy

Pastor Ng'ang'a is a figure frequently associated with controversy. His unorthodox methods and fiery sermons have often placed him at odds with the public and authorities. Past incidents include derogatory remarks about women, public altercations, and other instances of questionable conduct during services. This latest episode and the government's official stance have intensified calls from civil society and a section of political leaders for stricter regulation and oversight of religious institutions in Kenya to protect citizens from potential abuse while upholding the constitutional right to freedom of religion. The ODPP's own guidelines emphasize that in making a decision to charge, prosecutors must consider the public interest, the seriousness of the offence, and the harm to the victim. The question for many Kenyans remains whether these principles are being applied consistently when the alleged perpetrator is a powerful religious figure.