Prophet Victor Kanyari, the controversial head of Salvation Healing Ministries, has claimed his fame once surpassed that of the prominent politician Raila Odinga.
Speaking during a recent Sunday service, the preacher reflected on the height of his notoriety in Kenya.
Kanyari told his congregation that he was once the most talked-about person in the country. He recalled a time when his image dominated the national press.
“I was more famous than Raila Odinga,” Kanyari told the worshippers. “If you went to the newspaper, the first picture was Kanyari, and the second was Kanyari,” he added.
The Label of a ‘Fake Pastor’
The preacher did not shy away from the negative reputation he earned during that period. He admitted that the media and the public often used harsh terms to describe his ministry.
According to Kanyari, he was frequently branded as a “fake pastor” and a “conman” across Kenya. However, he argued that his financial demands were modest compared to other modern preachers.
“I was not asking for a lot of money. I was only asking for 310 shillings. There are pastors who ask people for land and plots; I did not ask for that.”
A Ministry Built on Resilience
Kanyari credited his current success to his thick skin. He told his followers that he refused to let the public outcry and the damage to his name stop his work.
He suggested that many others would have quit under such pressure. Instead, he chose to continue his services and maintain his presence in the religious sector.
“I did not take that thing as something that ruined my name,” he explained. “And that is why today I have a church and many followers. I have a big following because I did not lose heart.”
The Famous 310 Scandal
Victor Kanyari first became a major national figure in 2014 following an investigative television report titled ‘Prophets of Profit.’ The exposé alleged that Kanyari used potassium permanganate to turn water red during foot-washing ceremonies, claiming it was “blood” being washed away by miracles.
The “Seed” he requested—KES 310—was based on a Bible verse (Malachi 3:10). This specific figure became a symbol of the scandal, with Kanyari often referred to as the “310 Pastor.”
Despite the international attention the exposé received, he has managed to rebuild his brand through social media and live-streamed services.
Kanyari concluded his address by insisting that his survival in the ministry is proof of his strength. He remains a polarising figure, but his latest comments show he views his past notoriety as a badge of endurance rather than a source of shame.
