Pastor Ng'ang'a Responds to Threat by MCK to Shut Down His TV Station

Pastor James Ng'ang'a has responded to the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) threatening to shut down his television station, Sasa TV.

In a video shared on Friday, October 29, 2021, the controversial evangelist rubbished the move, stating that his station is under the Communications Commission of Kenya(CCK) and not MCK.

"As far as I know, I'm not under Media Council, I'm under CCK. We report to CCK," Ng'ang'a said.

The pastor criticised the decision by MCK, while also inviting other communication authorities to make their inquiries with his lawyers.

Ng'ang'a is currently away in the US.

"I received the letter from CCK giving me a warning. So if the other media would like to do that, let them go to my address, find my P.O Box from CCK then send to my address and request what you want then I can send my lawyer to answer you," he said.

The controversial preacher took a swipe at other media houses, accusing them of using regulatory bodies to intimidate him.

He, however, noted that he is a man of God and is not under anybody.

"For other media to attack me, I'm a preacher, not under anybody to preach water or what. That depends on the message I have. If it is a bad thing that may have happened, I can answer to that.

"Let me not brush shoulders with TV. You have your own TV, sell whatever you want...me I'm a preacher so if somebody will be there just trying to intimidate me, this time its too late," Ng'ang'a stated.

He further alleged that other media houses are jealous of the success achieved by Sasa TV.

"I'm not new in media, we just celebrated our 30 years in ministry yesterday and today the media is threatening to shut down our station. They are jealous because my station has grown," he said.

In a press statement on Thursday, October 28, MCK threatened action against Pastor Ng’ang’a’s TV station for violation of the code of conduct in the practice of journalism.

The council alleged that the televangelist used offensive language on a live TV program on October 9, 2021, which was a breach of code conduct set by the body, regarding the obscenity, taste and tone of reporting. 

“The Council notes that the media house in question breached clauses 5 (b) (c) on Accountability and 10 (1) on Obscenity, Taste and Tone in Reporting by allowing a presenter, Apostle James Maina Ng’ang’a in a live broadcast from ‘Jerusalem City Kenya’ at 1024 hours where he uttered offensive and unprintable words on air,” a memo by MCK CEO David Omwoyo read in part.

MCK stated that it will take action against Sasa TV upon completion of the due process as per its guidelines, ordering the station to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against it.

“The Media Council of Kenya will take action against Sasa TV, after completion of due processes for breach of Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya.”