On November 21, 2018, Nyakundi Report reviewed a 7-minute clip that appears to show Tanzanian gospel singer Rose Muhando during a deliverance session at Kenyan pastor James Ng’ang’a’s church.
The undated video was uploaded to YouTube on Tuesday, November 20, by a user identified as Mulei Ule Msee. In the footage, a woman with features similar to Muhando is seen on the pulpit floor, screaming and rolling as Ng’ang’a addresses her in front of the congregation.
Ng’ang’a is heard calling her to the altar and asking why “they [demons]” were breaking her arms. He then tells her to order the demon to leave her body and release her from what he describes as shackles that had stalled her music career and gospel work.
At one point, the pastor asks: “Killer [demon], which part of Muhando’s body have you occupied; have you set her body on fire?” The woman replies, “I burnt her,” in a manner suggesting the demon was speaking through her.
Ng’ang’a later asks how many spirits had camped in her body. The response captured on the video says the manager had sent them to disorientate her, that they had taken her cars and property, and that they had driven her out of her home for three months. The same response also claims ten spirits were in her body and that a demonic object had been placed in her to kill her talent.
After the apparent deliverance, a tearful Muhando gives a testimony to the church. She says she had been hopeless and subdued, that it had been three months since she last stayed at her place, and that false accusations had led to her arrests. She also says her vehicles were taken away and that her children, who should now be in university, could not enroll because she could not raise school fees.
“My manager claimed I was out to kill him. He, therefore, vowed to eliminate me and fill my position with another woman. They warned me that if I set foot in my house, they will kill me. They went to my home and dug a pit, in which they claimed was a shrine. And, that is the reason I looked for you [Ng’ang’a]. I believe God has remodeled me afresh,” she says in the clip.
Ng’ang’a is also heard saying he gave the musician Ksh5,000 to help her travel to his church. He then asks her to repeat a prayer, which she does, asking Jesus to save her, forgive her sins and restore her mentally.
It was not immediately clear whether Muhando had been staying in Kenya for the three months she said she had been away from home in Tanzania. A source who asked not to be named said Ng’ang’a had planned a weekend crusade and that Muhando would be among the performers.
The video quickly drew reactions on Facebook and other social media platforms. Some users expressed sympathy, while others argued that the deliverance may have been staged. A number of commenters also questioned whether the woman in the clip was indeed Rose Muhando.
Facebook user Amanda Kariuki wrote: “May God remember her.” Sharon Lundu said: “The ‘miracle’ looks stage-managed, especially how she responds to Ng’ang’a’s questions.” William Kijana added: “If you watch the video keenly, some things are not adding up. How can someone be in such a situation of unconsciousness and still rise to stretch, into good position, her ‘kitenge’ skirt? I am sorry if I have offended anyone with my observation. However, it comes across as some sort of ‘Afro-cinema’ to me.”
Nyakundi Report reached out to Muhando for comment, but her Tanzanian phone line was off by the time of publication. Ng’ang’a’s mobile phone was not picked, and a text message sent to him was not answered.
