Prophet Victor Kanyari has come under heavy criticism after a video recorded during a service at Salvation Healing Ministry showed him making controversial remarks about his late ex-wife, gospel singer Betty Bayo.

In the clip, he claimed that Betty Bayo had rejected him and refused to be with him before eventually dying.

Translated from Swahili, he said:

"The one who was my wife refused me and chose not to be married to me, then went there and died. She would have been better off staying here with me than dying there." 

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Public outrage directed at the pastor

Critics argued that speaking ill of the dead, particularly someone with whom he shared children, crossed a clear moral line for anyone in a position of spiritual leadership.

Picture of the late Betty Bayo // Files
Many felt that the church setting made the comments even more troubling, as congregants listened to their pastor address personal and painful matters with what many perceived as a dismissive and even mocking tone.

Video Trends Across Social Media

The footage spread rapidly on Facebook and TikTok, where users questioned why the preacher chose to revisit past grievances during a church gathering.

The incident comes months after Kanyari publicly mourned Betty Bayo following her death from leukaemia in November 2025.

At the time, he described her as "the mother to my kids" and said her death had left him heartbroken, sentiments that contrasted with the tone of the recent remarks.

The contrasting messages prompted fresh debate, with some Kenyans saying the latest comments appeared inconsistent with the emotional tributes he had previously shared.

"She was the mother of his children. Whatever happened between them should now be left in the past," one user wrote.

Kenyans Express Disappointment

Many social media users criticised the preacher,
Ann Wanjiru commented:
"This was painful to listen to. Betty cannot respond, so she deserves to be remembered with dignity."
Brian Mwangi wrote:
"A pastor should preach forgiveness and respect. These remarks were disappointing."
Mercy Akinyi added:
"No matter what happened in their marriage, she remains the mother of his children. Some things are better left unsaid."
Kevin Kariuki said:
"I expected him to protect her legacy instead of reopening old wounds."