Pastor James Ng'ang'a’s Neno Evangelism Centre has been closed by Nairobi City County officials over a KES 10 million demand for unpaid land rates, sparking a fierce confrontation with the pastor.

This incident, led by county official Geoffrey Mosiria, is part of a broader effort to enforce property taxes, with Ng'ang'a’s church being one of four properties targeted.

The pastor, known for his contentious relationship with authorities, dismissed the demand as "trash," offering to pay with his car if necessary.

His defiance, however, did not sway the county, which proceeded with the closure.

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At the heart of the dispute is a contentious claim over the land itself. Ng'ang'a insists he legally purchased the plot in 2004 for Sh42 million from the Central Bank of Kenya, securing the title under the name 'Neno Evangelism Centre'.

Yet, this claim is fiercely contested. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has sought to recover the land, alleging it was grabbed, while Kenya Railways argues it was wrongly acquired and should be used for railway purposes. 

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Pastor James Ng'ang'a

Ng'ang'a’s defence includes a reference to a supposed waiver on land rates granted by former Governor Mike Sonko, which he believes remains valid.

However, county officials have remained silent on this alleged waiver, leaving Ng'ang'a’s argument hanging in the balance.

Social media platforms have been abuzz with reactions. One user, @KenyattaFan, tweeted, "Ng'ang'a thinks he’s above the law. If he bought the land legally, where’s the proof? The county is just doing its job."

Conversely, @FaithfulFollower argued, "Pastor Ng'ang'a has helped so many people. Why target him now? This smells like harassment."

Others, like @NairobiResident, expressed frustration with the broader system: "This is bigger than Ng'ang'a. It’s about how land is grabbed and then we’re expected to pay for it. The county should focus on the real culprits, not churches."

The sentiment captures a widespread disillusionment with governance and a call for transparency.

Nairobi County has vowed to continue its crackdown on tax delinquents, signalling that this may not be the end of such confrontations.