Kenyan televangelist Pastor Victor Kanyari has reignited public debate after claiming that his controversial “Mbegu ya 310” initiative generated as much as KSh1 million per day at its peak and ran successfully for nearly four years.
The revelation, made in a recent interview circulating widely on social media, has once again drawn attention to the intersection of faith, money and accountability within Kenya’s charismatic church movement.
Kanyari, the founder of Salvation Healing Ministry, rose to national prominence over a decade ago through the Mbegu ya 310 campaign, which encouraged followers to send KSh310 as a “seed” offering in exchange for prayers, healing and divine breakthrough.
The initiative attracted thousands of contributors from across the country, many of whom sent the amount repeatedly.
According to Kanyari, the sheer volume of participants meant that the small individual contributions quickly accumulated into substantial daily income.
He stated that on most days the ministry collected between KSh700,000 and KSh1 million, an amount which, over the course of a month, could total up to KSh30 million.
Defending the initiative, the pastor insisted that the money was not used solely for personal gain.
He claimed that a significant portion of the funds was invested into businesses and charitable activities, including feeding programmes for the elderly and financial assistance for vulnerable members of society.
Kanyari further argued that his appeal was relatively modest compared to other churches that request far larger offerings from their congregants.
“I encouraged people to give what they could,” he said, noting that even small amounts, when given by many individuals, could collectively achieve meaningful impact.
He maintained that participation in the campaign was voluntary and driven by faith rather than coercion.
However, the claims have provoked strong reactions from the poblic
Critics argue that repeatedly linking financial contributions to promised miracles exploits the faith of vulnerable individuals, particularly those facing economic hardship.
Social media users have questioned the ethics of such campaigns, with some calling for greater regulation of religious organisations and others demanding accountability over how donations are used.
Kanyari’s ministry has previously been mired in controversy.
An investigative exposé aired several years ago accused him of staging miracles and manipulating congregants for financial gain, allegations that significantly damaged his public image and led to a temporary withdrawal from the limelight.
Despite this history, the pastor maintains that he has since reformed and shifted his focus towards more responsible ministry.
BY stephen atila
