A video of Pastor James Ng’ang’a slapping a man during a church service has gone viral, sparking public outrage and raising serious questions about conduct in places of worship. The incident happened while the pastor was preaching and noticed a man sleeping in the congregation.
In the video, Pastor Ng’ang’a is heard asking the man, “Wewe ndie ulipigwa kofi?” (Are you the one who was slapped?), to which the man replied, “Ndiyo” (Yes). The pastor then asked him if he was ready to be hit again.
Surprisingly, the man responded positively, saying, “Niko sawa kabisa. Niko tayari, bora injili iendelee.” (I’m okay. I’m ready, as long as the gospel continues.)
Pastor Ng’ang’a further told the man that he should be a good example to others in the church, and the man agreed.
Many Kenyans on social media have strongly condemned the pastor’s actions, saying that slapping someone in church is not the right way to teach or correct them. Others have defended the pastor, saying discipline in the church is sometimes necessary.
Despite the heavy criticism, the man who was slapped has made it clear that he will not take any legal action against the pastor. “I have no issue with him. I won’t press charges,” he said in a brief interview.
The incident has sparked a wider debate on the limits of discipline in religious spaces, with many calling for respect and dignity to be upheld during worship.
