Willy Mwangi: Man slapped by Pastor Ng’ang’a demands justice and compensation
A man who was slapped by Pastor James Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism Centre during a church service is now demanding justice and compensation, saying the incident has left him humiliated and struggling to survive.
Willy Mwangi, the man in the viral video, says the slap not only embarrassed him in front of the congregation but also damaged his reputation and affected his small business.
Speaking to a local blogger on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Mwangi opened up about the emotional and financial toll the assault has taken on his life.
“Mimi ni mkaazi wa Dandora na ninauza kahawa. ile mambo haijanifuraisha hata kidogo. Mtu kunipiga makofi kwa kakanisa na hakuniuliza kwa nini nilikuwa nalala kwa kanisa. Iyo maneno imenikasirisha moyoni mimi, juu ata kuuza kahawa au matunda siwezi uza juu sasa watu wananichekelea,” Mwangi narrated.
Adding
“Watu wanasema nilipatiwa pesa nikakula na mimi Ng’ang’a hakunipea pesa. Ile kitu alinipatia ni suti na kiatu.Unajua mimi sina pesa, yeye ako na pesa. Maisha yangu iko hatarini juu sijui nini itanifanyikia, sina security.”
Loosely translated as;
“I am a resident of Dandora, and I sell coffee. What happened has upset me. Someone slapped me at the church and didn’t even ask why I was sleeping there. That incident hurt me deeply because now I can’t even sell coffee or fruits, and people are laughing at me. They’re saying I was given money and spent it, yet Ng’ang’a never gave me any money. What he gave me was a suit and a pair of shoes. You know, I don’t have money, but he does. My life is now in danger because I don’t know what will happen to me — I have no security.”
Diginity
Mwangi explained that he regularly attends Pastor Ng’ang’a’s overnight services and was simply seeking spiritual nourishment. Instead, he says, he was publicly humiliated.
“I went to church looking for blessings, but I ended up getting slapped. I want this case to be followed up, and I want him to pay me for that slap. My business has really suffered,” he remarked.
Mwangi also accused the pastor of using his image without consent to gain social media traction.
“He posted my picture on Facebook, TikTok, and everywhere online. He used my image to entertain people while I have no money, no power, and no security. My life is in danger, and he has security,” Mwangi lamented.
He dismissed claims that the confrontation was staged for attention.
Mwangi is now urging authorities to intervene and hold Pastor Ng’ang’a accountable, saying his dignity, safety, and means of survival have all been taken from him in a matter of minutes.
“There was no plan. He told me to take the suit so that people would think he bribed me. But this has ruined me. I just want justice,” he demanded.
Viral video
The video of the incident shows Pastor Ng’ang’a walking over to Mwangi, who had dozed off during the sermon, and slapping him before hurling insults and throwing him out of the church.
He also confronted a woman sitting next to Mwangi, accusing her of letting him sleep. Although the woman insisted she had not noticed, Ng’ang’a threatened to eject her too, before eventually letting her remain.
This is not the first time Pastor Ng’ang’a has been criticised for how he treats members of his congregation. In January 2025, a woman named Milka Moraa was seen in another viral video pleading for help in the church after being locked out of her house due to unpaid rent. Instead of offering support, Pastor Ng’ang’a harshly told her off, saying the church was for prayers, not financial assistance.
“Go to the police. Where is your local police station? You’ve come here for money? Go to the Cabinet. Go to Sakaja,” Ng’ang’a shouted.
