Pastor James Ng'ang'a denies threatening Linus Kaikai, released on bail

Court releases Pastor James Ng'ang'a after he denied threatening journalist Linus Kaikai (Photo: Courtesy)

Controversial televangelist pastor James Maina Ng'ang'a has been released on Sh200,000 cash bail after he denied threatening Citizen TV journalist, Linus Kaikai.

Ng'ang'a appeared before Resident Magistrate Justus Kituku at the Kiambu Law Courts. He was charged two account namely: uttering words that constituted as threats to kill Linus Kaikai and  while referring to himself as the Chief General Commander, using words that indicated or implied that it was or might be desirable to bring death or physical injury to the Citizen TV journalist. The pre-trial conference has been set for April 3, 2019.

The Neno Evangelism founder was arrested on Sunday evening at the junction of Haile Selassie Avenue and Mombasa Road and taken to Gigiri Police Station.

The arrest came after Linus Kaikai filed a complaint with the police over the viral video where pastor Ng'ang'a who is seen dressed in a tunic embroidered with fake military decorations is heard warning the journalist to steer off religious matters or face consequence.

Kaikai who is a panellist on Citizen TV's News Gang had in his editorial piece called for expeditious regulation to spiritual fraudsters who have been on record for stage managing miracle in a bid to rob their unsuspecting followers.

"The people behind these so-called churches have gone rogue in the name of Jesus, in the name of God," Kaikai said.

"We are dealing with thieves not men of God. These are cold-blooded evangelical vampires living off the blood of their flock in the name of Jesus. They are conmen who must have their date with our police and our law courts. Some of them preach prosperity but only they profit."

"To these characters, Sunday, a day ordained as the Lord's Day of rest and worship has become the most profitable day on the trading floor. Offerings flow like a mighty river and onward into their private accounts in the Lord's name."

Kaikai listed a few instances when pastors have made the news for conning members of their churches and minting millions off illegal schemes.

In response, Ng'ang'a in the video recording warned Kaikai against poking his nose into religious matters or else face consequences.

"I am telling you like a Chief General Commander, you have to stop that if you don't stop you will face the consequences…" said Ng'ang'a