Nairobi Pastor Shocks Congregation After Shutting Down Church Following KES 30 Million Betting Win

 

By Brenda Muriithi

 Congregants at a Nairobi-based church were left stunned after their longtime spiritual leader, Reverend Jackson Mwangi, announced he was permanently closing down his ministry—following a massive KES 30 million win from sports betting.

The unexpected revelation came during a Sunday service, when Reverend Mwangi, known for his powerful sermons and devoted leadership, shared that he had struck a jackpot through a betting platform called FutaaPredict. According to the pastor, what began as a casual hobby turned into a life-changing windfall, prompting him to make a radical shift in his life.

Speaking candidly to his congregation, Mwangi admitted that despite years of dedicated service, financial struggles had weighed heavily on him. “The truth is, ministry alone was no longer sustainable,” he said. “This win has given me a new perspective and an opportunity to pursue other ventures.”

However, the biggest shock came not from the church’s closure, but from what Mwangi plans to do next: invest in nightlife. The pastor announced that he would be launching two nightclubs in Nairobi, calling the decision a step toward financial freedom. “Remain steadfast in your faith,” he told his followers, “even as I begin a more lucrative chapter.”

The declaration has drawn mixed reactions within the church community. While some congregants expressed understanding of the pastor’s personal choice, others were left feeling betrayed and confused by the drastic change in direction—from pulpit to party scene.

Social media platforms have since been abuzz, with Kenyans weighing in on the story, many questioning the implications of religious leaders engaging in betting and entertainment ventures seen as contradictory to their spiritual teachings.