Controversial city preacher Victor Kanyari has broken his silence over swirling claims linking him romantically to viral sensation Marion Naipei, firmly dismissing the allegations and insisting his focus remains on ministry and charity work.
In a video shared on his Facebook page while addressing his congregation, Kanyari rubbished the rumors, questioning why his name is constantly dragged into controversy.
“Eeh Kanyari ni kama analala na Naipei? Aaaii, mimi hata nguvu za kiume ziliisha zamani.
Mimi hata sijui ni lini nishai kuwa na hizi feelings. I don’t have those feelings,” he said.
The preacher added that his concerns are far from romantic relationships, stating that his energy is directed towards helping the needy.
“Feelings zangu ni zile za kule pesa zitatoka tusaidie wamama wazee wale wanataka SHA na wale wako na mashida. Hiyo ndio inanisumbua,” he explained.
Kanyari further challenged critics to cite any past scandals linking him to women.“Wee umeawai skia Kanyari ako na scandal ya wanawake? Lini?” he posed.
He, however, revisited a past controversy where he was accused of inappropriately touching a woman during a church service — claims he maintains were misinterpreted.
“Isipokuwa ile nilikuwa nimeekelewa eti nilishika mama moja matiti, na huyo mama kwanza alikuwa na cancer ya matiti… nilikuwa tu nataka kuonyesha watu kuwa kweli hiyo matiti ni mgonjwa ili ikipona waseme pastor aliombea huyo mama,” he said, adding that the woman later healed.
Kanyari lamented what he termed as targeted media scrutiny, saying his name is often used to sell stories.
“Kuna magazeti hayawezi uzika kama hawajataja jina Kanyari, hata Betty Bayo tulikuwa tumeachana lakini walikuwa wanashinda wameandika ‘ex-wife wa Kanyari’,” he remarked.
He captioned the video: “Hizo fununu mnazoeneza kuhusu mimi na Marion Naipei muache jameni.”
Speculation about a possible romantic relationship between Kanyari and Naipei intensified after the preacher publicly supported her following a widely publicized online scandal.
Naipei went viral after videos of her, allegedly recorded without her consent by her then partner James Opande, surfaced online.
The videos sparked public outrage and conversations around privacy and exploitation.
At the height of the controversy, Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement Geoffrey Mosiria stepped in to support Naipei and advocate for her protection.
However, he later distanced himself from the matter following public criticism, directing that any further concerns regarding Naipei be addressed to Kanyari.
Since then, the preacher has been visibly supportive of Naipei during church services — gestures that have fueled the affair claims.
On one occasion, he handed her KSh 50,000 to buy clothes. During this year’s Valentine’s Day celebrations, Kanyari surprised Naipei with a new phone and later a bouquet of flowers before the congregation.
“Now today I have a present to my one and only Naipei,” he said as he handed her the bouquet.
Naipei, expressing gratitude, responded: “Before anipee hii (the flowers) daddy alinunulia simu, he promised he will get me a phone and he did and today he has got me flowers. Nobody has gifted me (on Valentine’s) isipokuwa daddy and this is true live.”
The public nature of the gifting, conducted during church services, has continued to raise eyebrows online, with critics questioning the appropriateness of such gestures.
However, Kanyari maintains there is nothing romantic between them, reiterating that the claims are baseless and driven by speculation rather than fact.
