Preachers Pius Muiru, James Ng' ang'a and Ben Kiangei.
In the story of Judas Iscariot and the money bag (John 12:4-6), Judas is described as a treasurer in-charge of shared money in the ministry of Jesus.
He misappropriates funds and is called a thief who uses his position to steal from a kitty that feeds him and the other 11 disciples of Christ.
So insatiable is his greed that when Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with expensive gifts, Judas Iscariot criticises the “waste”, saying the money should have been given to the poor.
It, however, is just a cover for his greed.
The disputes have shown how congregations have been turned into pawns as pastors live large by selling hope.
Iscariot later betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, a sum that some theologians and philosophers suggest was – ironically – a tenth of the value of the perfume he insisted should have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor.
Back at home, maverick pastors like James Ng’ang’a “Commander” of Neno Evangelism Centre, Ben Kiengei of Jesus Compassionate Ministry (JCM) International, Pius Muiru of Maximum Miracle Centre and James Wanjohi of Jesus Culture Ministry are almost walking the same path, with court documents and endless public spats revealing a trend of betrayal, infighting and the business of tithe.
The disputes have shown how congregations have been turned into pawns as pastors live large by selling hope to vulnerable members.
Pastor Ng’ang’a needs no introduction. He is a self-proclaimed commander.
His main church on Nairobi’s Haile Selassie Avenue is a theatre of comedy and fortune.
If the “Commander” is not slapping members of his church he spots dozing during sermons, he is haranguing them for “meagre offerings that are not commensurate with the size of problems and demons to be exorcised by my prayers”.
Neno Evangelism Centre run by preacher James Ng’ang’a's along Nairobi's Haile Selassie Avenue on February 1, 2020.
“Someone just gave Sh500 and told me to dedicate his children and grandchildren in prayers. What can you do with Sh500? What kind of dedication is that? Such kind of dedication can only be by witchdoctors from Nairobi,” Pastor Ng’ang’a rebukes church members in one of the viral videos he streams during the main services at Neno Evangelism Centre, especially on Sundays.
“Why do you spend Sh3,000 at the salon but when it comes to giving God, you produce Sh100? With Sh100, you want God to remember you. With all your brains, how do you give God Sh50?’’
Documents in possession of the Daily Nation show Pastor Ng’ang’a has been in court over the control of a church and property valued at Sh6 million in Kitengela.
According to the files, he signed a franchising agreement that was to see a branch of Neno Evangelism Centre opened in Kitengela, Kajiado County.
After signing the deal, the documents show, Pastor Samuel Munene Muriithi opened a church and named it God’s Love Assembly.
Pastor Ng’ang’a insists he is the owner of the land Pastor Muriithi’s church stands.
He, however, admits that a franchise agreement existed between the two until Pastor Muriithi ventured out, citing exodus of church members due to “controversial” teachings associated with Neno Evangelism Centre and Pastor Ng’ang’a.
Apostle James Ng’ang’a has told parliament that he bought the parcel of land where his Neno Evangelism Centre Church sits.
Pastor Ng’ang’a, Ms Loise Muringi Maina and Mr Bernard Otieno Oluoch moved to court as the proprietors of Neno Evangelism Centre, seeking orders restraining Pastor Muriithi from transacting any business on the contested land and associating himself with Neno Evangelism Church, Kitengela, until the matter is heard and determined.
“That a temporary injunction to issue restraining the respondent, his agents, servants or any other person working with him from changing the name of the church, pending the hearing and determination of this application,” Pastor Ng’ang’a’s affidavit reads.
In her ruling, Justice Christine Ochieng said Neno Evangelism Centre failed to prove that Pastor Muriithi had transferred the land in question to a third party, terming the matter as a church management row but not a land dispute.
“From the facts before court, there is no proof that the defendant transferred the suit land where the church is situated to a third party,” Justice Ochieng said.
“Noting that the defendant is also a pastor of the said church, and having observed that the dispute herein actually revolves around management of a church, it is my considered view that with the facts as presented, the plaintiffs have failed to establish a prima facie case to warrant the orders sought.”
In Ruiru, Kiambu County, former radio comedian turned a man of cloth – Bishop Ben Kiengei – is in an almost similar situation.
Offerings and tithe have seen some of his pastors abandon Jesus Compassionate Ministry (JCM) International and to launch own churches.
President William Ruto was at JCM International Church for a service on April 22 this year and pledged Sh8 million.
The promise fuelled fighting between Bishop Kiengei and Pastor Charles Wachira, who headed JCM International.
Pastor Wachira would later resign, citing discomfort in the church.
“When leadership actions create confusion, division or moral discomfort in believers, it becomes necessary to take a principled stand,” Pastor Wachira said in the resignation statement.
The Nation learnt that before Pastor Wachira’s resignation, there were serious divisions on the management of JCM Church in Seattle, Washington, many centred on the sharing formula of tithe, offerings and donations.
According to insiders, while Mr Wachira was the lead pastor for JCM in Seattle, all contributions and offering fell under one signatory – Bishop Kiengei.
Bishop Kiengei was the face of JCM due to his popularity, which drew many people to the church.
Feeling shortchanged, Pastor Wachira left and has already set up his own outfit named God’s Love International Church in the United States.
Bishop Kiengei and Pastor Wachira’s falling out was messy and bitter.
Days after his exit, Pastor Wachira released a Kikuyu gospel diss-track titled “Kaba Ndie Mboga”, loosely translated to “I would rather eat vegetables”, a satirical song infused with the parable of the Biblical David who rejected overtures from King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and remained clean.
JCM Church is in Kamakis, on the Eastern bypass, Nairobi.
Adverts during sermon
During services, live paid-up adverts interrupt screened sermons and key advertisers are given an opportunity to engage the congregation on the products being offered.
Everything at JCM is a business opportunity.
Bishop Kiengei has not responded to multiple calls and text messages since March 9, 2026, seeking his views on the issues affecting his church, including the falling out over tithe and offering.
Pastor Wachira, too, did not respond to calls and text messages seeking clarity on the row on how contributions from the church were to be shared.
For the record, Bishop Kiengei is not new to controversy.
He loves showbiz and showing the public his flashy lifestyle, and the disagreements with his wife Keziah Kariuki. They parted ways.
Pastor Muiru is reeling from the shock of being “shortchanged” in the business of tithe even as he fights to save his Sh960 million property from auction after a Sh216 million loan dispute with Equity Bank.
The loan dates back to 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic triggered a partial economic shutdown.
Pastor Pius Muiru during a past church service.
Court documents show Pastor Muiru was reportedly shortchanged in another agreement.
He sued a fellow pastor at Maximum Miracle Centre and lost the case.
The altercation began a few years after Pastor Muiru ordained Mr Andrew Mlewa Mkare as a pastor.
Pastor Muiru sued Mr Mkare, who previously was the overseer of Maximum Miracle Centre’s operations in the Coast.
In their agreement, Pastor Mkare was to use Maximum Miracle Centre name for his church, on condition that he paid tithe without expecting any financial assistance from Pastor Muiru’s Maximum Miracle Centre.
Pastor Mkare was later awarded a certificate of affiliation by Pastor Muiru.
It did not take long before cracks emerged in their relationship. Pastor Mkare then went ahead to establish a church in Watamu, Malindi, in Kilifi County.
Aggrieved, Pastor Muiru went to court, claiming that Pastor Mkare was funded by Maximum Miracle Centre tithes and contributions when he started.
He insisted that the land Pastor Mkare’s church stood should be reverted to him.
However, Pastor Mkare told the court that he purchased the property using his money and loans from a local lending institution.
Dismissing the case, Justice O.A. Angote said Pastor Mkare demonstrated that he used his own cash reserves and borrowings from a bank and a saving and credit society to finance the case.
In Marurui, Nairobi County, Pastor James Wanjohi of Jesus Culture Ministry has closed his church.
Like the others mentioned before, Pastor Wanjohi courts controversy wherever he goes.
Not subject to tax
He featured promptly in a Daily Nation investigative report on April 22, 2024.
His two companies – WorthStart Africa and Worthstart Travel Agency – defrauded unemployed youth, some of them members of his church, of Sh600 million by promising them jobs abroad.
Pastor Wanjohi denies involvement and investigations into the matter have collapsed even as the jobseekers keep chasing elusive refunds.
He said in several videos after the expose, that his work is to set up churches and give gifts to strangers.
Tithe and offerings are not subject to income tax in Kenya. Because of that, the prosperity gospel has opened a window for pastors, bishops, “prophets”, evangelists, apostles and others with high-sounding religious titles using to use the pulpit to mint millions of shillings from desperate Kenyans seeking instant miracles.
The laws regulating religious organisations in Kenya are only on paper.
The bigger crowds a church attracts, the more fodder it creates for politicians who flood the platform with cosmetic offerings in exchange for loyalty.
The millions of shillings in “donations” by politicians only benefit a handful.
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