Kanyari to ordain Marion Naipei as pastor in a surprising move at his Salvation and Healing Ministry, turning heads across Kenya as the controversial preacher announces plans to make the young woman part of his team after her recent video leak storm.
The Njiru-based church leader shared the news during a chat with YouTubers on January 29, saying the ceremony happens soon and she’ll start preaching right away.
He didn’t hold back in the interview, explaining it all comes from wanting to stand by her through tough times. “Very soon, Marion atakuwa pastor hapa, nitam-ordain hapa na atakuwa anatuhubiria, hata mimi atakuwa pastor wangu,” Kanyari said with that familiar grin.
He pointed out how the online hate hit her hard after those private clips spread like wildfire last month. Remember the mess – videos showing her in compromising spots at a club, first blamed on a guy named James Opande, but forensics flipped it to her sharing them herself.
Backlash poured in, with trolls everywhere, but Kanyari stepped up, saying he couldn’t leave her hanging. He’s been there too, back in 2014 when his own scandal over fake miracles rocked his world. “I went through something similar,” he added, keeping it real about offering her a shoulder and some guidance.
The whole thing started when Naipei showed up at his church service in Njiru on January 25. He brought her on stage, calling her a close friend and even handing over KSh 50,000 as a gift to help her out. Congregants watched as he prayed over her, introducing the 23-year-old as his “new sweetheart” or “my girl,” which got mixed laughs and looks from the crowd.
She opened up right there, saying she’d accepted Christ and planned to stick with the church for good. “From today, I will be a member of this church,” Naipei told everyone, sounding like she’d found some peace after the chaos.
Kanyari played it cool on the leaked stuff, brushing it off as something that happens to many and shouldn’t stick to someone forever. “Such incidents are common and should not define a person,” he said, downplaying the fuss like it’s no big deal in the grand scheme.
Social media lit up right after the interview dropped. Posts on X show folks split down the middle – some cheer Kanyari for giving her a second shot, calling it true Christian kindness. One user posted early this morning: “Pst Marion Naipei To be Ordained as Pastor in Kanyari’s church Soon,” with a video clip getting quick shares.
Others aren’t buying it, questioning if it’s all for show or if he’s using her story to draw crowds. A tweet from two days back captured the service vibe: “Marion Naipei has now embraced church life & is serving at Prophet Kanyari’s church,” sparking debates on whether redemption looks like this. Even older posts from January 25 highlight her first visit, with one saying she led part of the service and got welcomed warmly.
Kanyari’s church in Njiru has always drawn big numbers with its lively services and his straight-talk style. He’s no stranger to headlines – from that old seed faith controversy to family matters playing out public. Bringing Naipei on board fits his pattern of reaching out to folks in the spotlight, like when he supported other celebs through rough patches.
He made sure she joined for real support, not just a quick fix, and now she’s set to preach alongside him. Imagine that – the young woman who faced weeks of online fire now standing at the pulpit, sharing messages with the same crowd that might have judged her before.
