“I Won’t Call Them Stupid”: Pastor Ng’ang’a’s Wife Defends Churchgoers After His Demand

Controversial preacher Pastor James Ng’ang’a and his wife Murugi Maina recently gave congregants—and the internet—a moment to remember during a humorous yet revealing exchange at a church service.

In a video that has since gone viral, Pastor Ng’ang’a jokingly urged his wife to scold congregants for failing to attend overnight prayer services, or “keshas.”

"Come closer, so I can teach you. Call them stupid. How can they leave you here and go to sleep in their beds?" he said.

Wearing a striking red dress, Murugi took the mic but chose a softer approach, encouraging churchgoers to prioritise prayer meetings rather than insulting them.

"I will only say one thing. Anytime you hear an announcement for a prayer meeting, it is for your benefit. I also have the freedom of staying at home and saying I have small kids, and I also have responsibilities as a mum and a wife. I will not call you stupid, as he said, because I understand you. There are times women get held up because...," she said before being cut off.

Nga'ang'a insisted that she call them stupid, but she continued to explain to him why she could not. "You are defending them," he said.

She turned to address her husband and said: "I am defending them because they do not have the freedom like men. She may want to come but her husband has issues, what will she do? I am defending you but please look for ways to attend prayer meetings."

At one point, the preacher's wife rolled her eyes as her husband interjected and continued talking over her.

Her refusal to use her husband’s choice of words sparked a playful back-and-forth, with Ng’ang’a insisting she be firmer.

At one point, Murugi rolled her eyes in mock frustration, much to the amusement of the congregation.

The light-hearted moment revealed the couple’s complex but evidently strong bond—something they’ve both acknowledged publicly in the past.

In an earlier live session, the Neno Evangelism Centre founder admitted their marriage has had its share of turbulence.

He even confessed to once involving the police when Murugi left their home following heated rows over suspicious text messages on his phone.

Murugi candidly shared how being married to a pastor wasn’t something she had been prepared for.

Coming from a non-clerical background, she initially struggled with the expectations and attention the role demanded.

“What I thought marriage was turned out to be very different,” she said. “There were men who had wanted to marry me, and women who wanted him. It was not easy.”

She revealed that at one point, the situation became so overwhelming she packed her bags and left. “I ran away, and I regret it now. I’ve learnt that the devil attacks where you are weakest.”

Ng’ang’a recounted a particularly painful moment when a message popped up from another woman while he and Murugi were away together, fuelling more mistrust.

But instead of giving up, the couple eventually decided to “start afresh,” changing phone numbers and rebuilding trust without outside interference.

Murugi admitted that outside voices—particularly single friends—nearly influenced her decision to walk away for good. “They’d say I could find another man. But I decided to stay, and that was the beginning of a new chapter.”

She described her role as Pastor Ng’ang’a’s wife as “difficult but blessed,” adding that her strength comes from a place of faith. “God gives us what we can handle. I’m graced for this position.”