Pastor Victor Kanyari left his congregation in a sombre mood during a church service on September 9, 2026, after pausing his sermon to mourn an ex-girlfriend who had died of cancer, a woman he once came close to marrying before his relationship with the late Betty Bayo.
Kanyari opened up about his past lover, describing her as someone who had been there for him long before the fame and material wealth arrived.
Kanyari recalls a woman who stood by him in hard times
The preacher told his congregation that his ex had supported him during his leanest years, at a time when he had neither a Lexus nor a Range Rover, no farms and no plots to his name.
He said she even cleaned his shoes and helped around the church, which in his words was the truest form of loyalty.
He had taken the relationship seriously enough to introduce her to his mother, telling her plainly that he wanted to marry the woman.
However, his mother’s reservations over her heavy drinking ultimately led him to walk away from the relationship.
He said he tried to manage the situation but eventually let her go, though he never stopped looking out for her.
She later married someone else and had three children, none of whom were Kanyari’s, but he said he had continued paying their school fees at a costly school.
He also revealed that he had attempted to get her into a rehabilitation centre, without success, and that her alcohol use was connected to the cancer that claimed her life.
Kanyari announced that he had already covered all the mortuary expenses following her death and pledged to be present at the burial despite their complicated past.
“I don’t forget my friends,” he told the congregation. “Even if they have married or not married, I always remember my friends. That’s my msichana.”
Watch Kanyari’s emotional church address on TikTok:
@kanyari.backup7 #kanyari #kasanakanyari ♬ original sound – Kanyari backup
The video quickly gained traction online, with Kenyans split between sympathy and bemusement at the setting of the announcement. Reactions from followers reflected a range of emotions:
@Faith Naomi said:
“Leo ni my ex girlfriend chapter 5 verse nine.”
@neli linz said:
“What is the name of this movie 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔?”
@mama boyz said:
“Mlisema mungu anakuja ama sisi ndiyo tunaenda guys? 😂😂😂”
@His Queen said:
“Niulize…washirika wanacheka? 🤨”
@mbarikiwalydia said:
“Mungu nibariki na mwanaume mwenye ana roho kama ya Kanyari na sio kesho. 😅😅”
@FELISTA M KALOKI said:
“Amkeni Kanyari anaomboleza tena.”
@J Mwai said:
“Why are those people laughing?”
