Pastor Kanyari Re-Calls Family Abandoning Him After “Mbegu ya 310” Scandal

Controversial Kenyan preacher Pastor Victor Kanyari has recently spoken candidly about the infamous “Mbegu ya 310” scandal, revealing that the resulting personal fallout was far more painful than the public shame. The preacher, who was exposed in 2014 for allegedly soliciting a KSh 310 “seed offering” in exchange for staged miracles, described that period as the absolute lowest point of his life.

Kanyari stated that his lowest moment wasn’t the media exposé itself, but the immediate and devastating loss of his family.

The Unbearable Personal Cost

“What hurt me most was not the media—it was when my wife and children left,” Kanyari recalled. “My wife left me. My kids left. Life became so hard. I was left with nothing but my parents.”

His then-wife, gospel singer Betty Bayo, publicly distanced herself following the exposé and the two later separated. Bayo explained in interviews that she was completely blindsided by the revelations and felt compelled to leave to protect herself and their children. Kanyari stressed that when he was most vulnerable, everyone he trusted disappeared.

Confession and Attempt at Redemption

Kanyari now admits that the controversial KSh 310 offering was motivated by “poverty and desperation,” not malice.

“I was very broke. Poverty pushed me to ask congregants for the offering. I wanted to survive. I wanted to grow the ministry,” he confessed.

Despite the widespread ridicule, Kanyari has continued preaching and claims to have rebuilt his life. He states he has moved past the shame, is focused on raising his children, who are now in good schools, and reviving his ministry.

The preacher’s story offers a rare human look at public disgrace, highlighting that behind the scandalous headlines, Kanyari was grappling with profound personal loss. As he concluded: “I fell, but I refused to stay down. God still has a plan for me.”