DNK International By Our Correspondent,Kasarani
Victor Kanyari remains one of Kenya’s most controversial and talked about preachers, blending religion, social media influence and now politics.
His career has kept him constantly in the public eye.
Kanyari who is the founder of Salvation Healing Ministry recently declared his interest in the Kasarani parliamentary seat being held by wealthy Sport pesa founder Ronald Karauri.
Karauri has declared that he will be vying for the gubernatorial seat against the incumbent Johnson Sakaja.
On his part Preacher Kanyari has insisted that his political ambitions is not driven by money but by the desire to build powerful connections capable of uplifting his followers into leadership positions.
He was a few weeks ago seen with former Deputy leader Rigathi Gachagua who is the DCP leader at an ordination of a Church leader in Ruai,Nairobi an indication by political analysts that he may be a DCP member and intends to run for the parliamentary seat on Gachagua’s party.
He was born Victor Mwangi Kanyari on March 8, 1983, in Loitoktok, Kajiado County.
Kanyari earlier on told DNK-International that he was raised in a deeply religious family and has often credited his mother, Prophetess Lucy Nduta, for influencing his spiritual journey and shaping his preaching style.
Kanyari admitted to have completed his secondary education and attained a KCSE certificate, although details about his higher education and formal theological training remain unclear publicly.
Before becoming nationally famous, Kanyari reportedly spent years preaching in small revival meetings and evangelistic crusades across Nairobi’s estates.
Around 2008, he founded Salvation Healing Ministry in Nairobi’s Njiru area along Kangundo Road.
What started as a small ministry later transformed into one of the city’s most recognizable Pentecostal churches, attracting thousands of followers physically and online through television broadcasts and social media streams.
Kanyari’s rise to fame accelerated through dramatic healing services, miracle claims and emotional preaching that appealed to struggling Kenyans seeking hope and breakthrough.
His ministry became especially popular among low income urban worshippers, with the pastor frequently promising healing, prosperity and financial breakthroughs.
At the peak of his popularity, his church services attracted huge crowds while his television ministry reached audiences across the country.
However, his career suffered a major blow following the infamous “Mbegu ya 310” scandal in 2014 after an investigative expose by KTN through Mohamed Ali “Jicho Pevu” currently Nyali MP and John Allan Namu accused him of staging miracles and exploiting desperate followers through fake healing claims.
The scandal damaged his reputation and temporarily crippled his ministry, with many critics branding him a “conman”.
Despite the backlash, Kanyari later reinvented himself, rebranding his ministry and slowly rebuilding his congregation and online following.
In recent years, Kanyari has embraced digital media aggressively, launching online platforms and television channels such as Shifu TV, Prophetic TV and Vicka TV, which helped him reconnect with younger audiences.
His dramatic sermons, controversial remarks and unconventional church activities regularly trend online, keeping him relevant in Kenya’s fast moving social media culture.
The preacher has also experienced painful personal tragedies.
In January 2024, his younger sister, socialite Starlet Wahu Mwangi, was found murdered in Nairobi under circumstances that shocked the nation.
An emotional Kanyari later revealed that his sister had tried calling him shortly before her death, something he said continues to haunt him deeply.
He admitted that the loss devastated their family, especially their mother, because Starlet was the last born child.
Kanyari’s personal life has equally attracted public attention.
He was previously married to Gospel singer the late Betty Bayo, with whom they had two children, before their highly publicized separation.
Their marriage collapse became one of Kenya’s most discussed celebrity Church scandals and further intensified scrutiny around his ministry and lifestyle.
Despite criticism, Kanyari maintains a loyal following and insists his ministry continues to grow.
His church services are known for energetic worship, emotional testimonies and unusual moments that frequently go viral online.
In one memorable incident, he hosted a nyama choma session inside the church during a Sunday service, attracting both admiration and criticism from Kenyans.
The preacher is also known for controversial statements that have kept him constantly in headlines.
He once claimed he had unique divine powers to heal HIV patients and has repeatedly defended individuals accused of moral failings, insisting that the church exists for sinners rather than perfect people.
Recently, he publicly defended social media influencer Marion Naipei, urging congregants to forgive her and allow her to remain in church despite accusations of backsliding.
Now venturing into politics, Kanyari says he earns more than Sh800,000 daily from his businesses and therefore has no interest in the parliamentary salary.
According to him, leadership is about creating opportunities and networks capable of transforming the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
His critics remain skeptical, while supporters view him as a resilient figure who survived public humiliation and rebuilt his influence through persistence, media mastery and charisma.
Love him or hate him, Victor Kanyari has become impossible to ignore in Kenya’s religious and political landscape, a preacher whose life story is defined by fame, controversy, reinvention and an unrelenting ability to remain at the center of national conversation.
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🗓️ [DNK-International@May 24,2026]
