Pastor Victor Kanyari has publicly criticised fellow pastors who failed to support him following the death of his ex-wife, gospel singer Betty Bayo. The preacher, who shares two children—Sky Victor and Danny—with Betty, expressed frustration over the lack of solidarity from his colleagues during a difficult period.
Loss of Betty Bayo
Betty Bayo passed away on November 10 due to acute myeloid leukaemia at Kenyatta National Hospital. Her death prompted widespread grief, with thousands attending her funeral. Pastor Kanyari delivered a heartfelt eulogy, highlighting his personal loss, yet revealed that many of his fellow pastors did not reach out or offer support during the challenging time.
Criticism of Fellow Pastors
During a recent church service, Kanyari expressed disappointment that despite standing by other pastors in the past, the gesture was not reciprocated. “I have stood with all those pastors. They didn’t even call me,” he lamented. He noted that only one pastor, affiliated with OTC and named Maina, reached out to request a meeting, which Kanyari has yet to attend due to a busy schedule.
The preacher highlighted a broader issue within religious circles, observing that pastors often rely heavily on their congregations but rarely offer help to fellow ministers in times of need. He described the culture as one-sided, where assistance is sought aggressively but seldom given voluntarily.
Message to Congregants
Kanyari used the sermon to advise his congregation about discerning whom to support financially and spiritually. “Those are the pastors you give your offerings to. It’s your problem. If you get a problem, they don’t show up for you, but if they have problems, they rush to you and get help. You should rethink it as believers,” he warned, stressing the importance of evaluating leaders’ compassion and reliability.
Reflection on Solidarity and Leadership
The sermon sparked reflection among church members about mutual support and accountability within religious communities. Kanyari emphasized that true brotherhood among spiritual leaders is essential, and believers should not be taken for granted by those in positions of influence.
Through his candid remarks, Pastor Kanyari underlined the need for solidarity, empathy, and genuine support within church leadership, particularly during personal crises.
