Phronesis Ngwono

During one of his sermons at their church located on Biashara Street in Nairobi, Prophet Phronesis Ngwono stated that the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has been imposing strict restrictions on churches while areas like mosques, despite their noise, are still allowed to operate without regulation.

“There is nonsense being perpetuated by NEMA. I saw some of their officers in the church, coming right up to the pulpit and saying the church is making noise. And I haven’t seen any officer entering a mosque to say they’re making noise. The church's loudspeakers are inside while the mosque's are outside,” the prophet said.

The pastor criticized President Ruto for not defending the church against NEMA, stating that he presented himself as an evangelist before becoming president, but after reaching State House, he has left the church to suffer.

“President Ruto, you say you are an evangelist, but the church is making noise in your nation! Are we making noise now? But these noises were good for you in 2021 and 2022? Now people just enter the pulpit foolishly, but they can’t go to the mosque,” he exclaimed.

The pastor said it has reached a point in Kenya where registering a church is a more complicated process than obtaining a license to sell alcoholic beverages.

“Now the church has become a dumping ground and a place of blame; we cannot lift our heads. Registering a church is difficult; it’s better to sell drugs. Selling chang’aa is easier in Kenya than opening a church,” he said.

“Registering a church in Kenya is hard; you’d rather be a drug trafficker. The laws and processes are many and meaningless,” he added angrily.

He urged Environment Minister Aden Duale that if he truly wants to do his job properly, he should start with mosques and order all speakers to be taken outside and placed inside like those of the churches.