A dramatic church incident involving Apostle James Ng’ang’a has sparked public outcry after new claims surfaced from the man at the center of the controversy. Willy Mwangi, a coffee and watermelon hawker from Dandora, had been slapped by the preacher during a service for allegedly dozing off. At first, Mwangi accepted the incident, calling it a “slap of blessing” and even stating he was willing to be slapped again in the name of the gospel.
However, Mwangi’s tone has since shifted. He now says the slap has had severe consequences on his life and is demanding compensation. According to him, the public humiliation has affected his ability to earn a living. Once able to move freely and sell his goods in peace, he now faces mockery and ridicule from members of the public who accuse him of having been paid off by the preacher to keep quiet. Mwangi denies these claims and insists that the only things he received were a pair of shoes and a suit—no money was given.
He further alleges that he was held at the church premises for a week and pressured into declaring publicly that the slap was a holy act meant to deliver him. Now, Mwangi says his life has been upended, and he feels unsafe. He believes his life is under threat and claims to be living in fear, without any form of protection.
Mwangi is calling for justice and accountability, saying the incident has not only damaged his dignity but also affected his business. The backlash from the viral video has made it difficult for him to interact with customers, with many believing he benefited from the incident. He says he often returns home with unsold coffee and watermelon because people avoid him or mock him instead of buying his products.
He now wants the preacher to compensate him for the physical and emotional toll the incident has caused. The hawker believes he was unfairly treated and that no one should be subjected to violence, especially in a place of worship. He insists that simply being sleepy during a church service was no justification for being slapped in front of the congregation.
The case has reignited public scrutiny of Apostle Ng’ang’a, a preacher known for his controversial methods and public outbursts. This is not the first time the preacher has drawn criticism. In another recent incident, a woman named Milka Moraa was turned away from his church after seeking financial assistance for rent and school fees. The pastor reportedly dismissed her request, telling her to look for help elsewhere. That moment was also captured on video and sparked a wave of sympathy online, with well-wishers eventually raising over KSh 500,000 to support her.
As the drama unfolds, many Kenyans are watching to see whether Mwangi’s demand for justice will be taken seriously, or whether it will fade into yet another viral moment without resolution.
