Pastor James Ng'ang'a of Neno Evangelism Charged with Threatening to Kill Journalist Linus Kaikai

Nairobi televangelist James Ng'ang'a of Neno Evangelism Center has been charged with threatening to kill Citizen TV journalist Linus Kaikai.

Appearing before Kiambu Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku on Tuesday, Ng'ang'a has also been charged with incitement to violence.

The controversial preacher has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been released on Sh200,000 cash bail or Sh300,000 bond 

The pre-trial conference has been set for April 3rd, 2019.

The clergyman was arrested on Sunday by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)  after Kaikai filed a complaint with the police over the threat from Ng’ang’a.

In a video released on social media last week, Ng'ang'a warned that Kaikai would face unknown consequences for suggesting that the government should regulate the religious sector.

In a show dubbed News Gang on Citizen TV, Kaikai also suggested that preachers should have a minimum of Bachelor's in Theology for them to be allowed to conduct their business.

Kaikai said Kenya should emulate Rwanda, where President Paul Kagame ordered the closure of more than 6,000 churches that did not meet set standards.

“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,” said Kaikai during the Thursday night show.

“Rwanda set the pace, Kenya should follow suit. Preachers must be accountable to a being other than God and that is the law and fellow human beings."

In response, pastor Ng'ang'a warned the journalist to keep off religious matter saying: “Wewe kijana wachana na mambo zako… na kama umeingia laini ya Pastor Ng’ang’a, my friend you will face the consequences…wewe utakimbia tu (Young man, stop your nonsense. If you’ve decided to cross Pastor Ng’ang’a’s line, my friend you will face the consequences. You will have to run),” the preacher says in the viral video.

In the video, the clergyman is wearing military-like fatigue and calls himself a Chief General Commander.

“Separate preaching na hii sarakasi za news anchor, nakwambia tu kijana. I am telling you like a Chief General Commander, you have to stop that, if you don’t stop you will face the consequences…” adds Pastor Ng’ang’a.