Pastor James Ng’ang’a’s Nairobi CBD Church Faces Demolition

Neno Evangelism Pastor James Maina Ng’ang’a’s church in Nairobi CBD faces demolition after he was served with a notice to vacate the parcel of land where the building stands.

The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) allegedly wrote to Pastor Ng’ang’a on Friday informing him that the plot of land in which the church is built belongs to the agency, Sunday Nation reported.

KRC claimed that Pastor Ng’ang’a irregularly acquired the property and wants the televangelist to surrender all documents related to parcel located.

“You are hereby requested to surrender all documents relating to the irregular allocation of the above-referenced property to the corporation,” reads the letter in part.

“Historical records in our possession indicate that the land bound by Haile Selassie Avenue, Uhuru Highway and Bunyala Road in which various railway infrastructure are contained was reserved for railway use.”

“It has, however, been established that new grants on portions of the land were issued by the Commissioner of Lands in around 1994 without the consent of the corporation.” added the letter.

KRC indicated that this was part of its plan to reclaim all its land initially reserved for railway use but was allocated to private entities. Also set to be kicked out of railways land is a filling station, two other churches, a motor bazaar, hotels, and other enterprises, Sunday Nation added.

In November last year, Ng’ang’a divulged plans to set up a state-of-the-art church complex worth Sh2.5 billion on the affected land.

He said the building would be named Neno Towers and would boast features such swimming pool, hotel with accommodation facilities, shops, and offices among others.

Ng’ang’a, who made the announcement during a church service, indicated that the building’s plan has already been approved by the county government. 

"I want to build a church complex costing Sh2.5 billion, I have prepared the survey and presented it to county government. I have already paid Sh7 million out of the required Sh12 million," he said.