A prominent Nairobi pastor has been given one week to provide documents proving his church’s ownership of a disputed plot of land along Haile Selassie Avenue in the Kenyan capital.
Apostle James Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism Centre was issued the ultimatum by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Lands during a hearing on Thursday.
The evangelical preacher is locked in an escalating legal battle with the Kenya Railways Corporation over the contested parcel where his church stands.
Appearing before the committee chaired by Joash Nyamoko, Ng’ang’a stated he had purchased the land outright in 2008 after securing a bank loan to fund the acquisition.
However, the state-run railways operator claims the property falls under its jurisdiction, sparking a protracted court dispute with the prominent city church.
The impasse prompted the outspoken pastor to petition parliament for assistance, leading to this week’s committee summons.
“Once you file, we will review the documents, and deliberate among ourselves and our technical staff and advise on the next course of action,” committee chair Nyamoko told Ng’ang’a.
Ng’ang’a was represented at the hearing by lawyers Sylvanus Osoro and Susan Kemunto. Originally scheduled to reappear within a fortnight, the committee postponed his next appearance indefinitely.
This deferral allows time to scrutinize the preacher’s purported ownership papers and assess the complex legal landscape, as several lawsuits involving Ng’ang’a and his church are currently active in Kenya’s court system.
The committee acknowledged the case’s high profile but stressed the need for thorough examination before weighing any intervention.
