Controversial preacher James Maina Ng’ang’a from Neno Evangelism recently shared advice with his congregation, cautioning them against splurging on expensive smartphones.
During a sermon, Ng’ang’a expressed his opinion that purchasing a pricey phone is illogical, as it tends to monopolize one’s attention excessively.
He emphasized, “Why would you spend twenty thousand shillings on a phone, only to end up being indebted to Safaricom and paying daily charges? It’s simply foolish. With a phone worth twenty thousand shillings, you’ll constantly find your mind fixated on the device wherever you go.”
Interestingly, despite his warning against expensive phones, Ng’ang’a couldn’t resist mentioning his own high-end device, justifying it as a reflection of his social status.
He proudly stated, “Mine costs 240,000 shillings. I was offered it at 160,000 shillings, but I decided to splurge a bit. Do you really need such an extravagant phone, Pastor? Personally, I primarily use WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube; the other features are of little importance to me. But because of my status, I display it prominently whenever I’m out.”
The preacher’s remarks stirred a mix of reactions online, with some criticizing him while others found his statements amusing.
MC Manviva humorously compared Ng’ang’a’s remarks to those of a comedian, joking, “After Butita, it’s now Pastor Ng’ang’a; my comedy lineup is complete.”
However, some netizens took a more critical stance, like Kay Njugush, who chastised Ng’ang’a for his priorities, particularly when it came to familial responsibilities. “What kind of ‘class’ is it when your own daughter is pleading with you for assistance with her sick child? Shame on you, Pastor.”
Another commenter, Ngash, suggested that unless a high-end phone served a business purpose, a regular one would suffice, stating, “Unless your phone is a tool for your business, a normal one would do just fine.”
In contrast, Sukie pointed out that the real issue lies not with the pastor, but with his followers’ perceptions and priorities, noting, “The problem isn’t the pastor; it’s the mentality of his followers here.”
Meanwhile, one netizen marveled at the rapt attention of Ng’ang’a’s audience during his sermon, highlighting the impact of his words on those present.
