Controversial preacher Pastor Victor Kanyari has delivered a blistering response to critics who accused him of being “inappropriately affectionate” with his teenage daughter, Sky Victor.
In a raw and unfiltered defense of his parenting, the Salvation Healing Ministry founder questioned why strangers were so obsessed with the physical bond he shares with his child.
Speaking out after a video of the pair went viral, Kanyari insisted that he is breaking a cycle of fear that defined his own childhood.
“Watu waliongea vibaya sana wanasema pastor anashika shika mtoto wake na sijui kwa nini watu wanaangalia mtoto wangu namshika wapi,” Kanyari stated. “(People spoke very badly saying the pastor is touching his child, and I don’t know why people are looking at where I am touching my child.)”
Kanyari drew a sharp contrast between his “friendly” approach and the upbringing he received from his own father. He described a household where the mere presence of the patriarch caused terror among the family members.
“Watu wanataka nilee mtoto wangu vile babangu alinilea. Babangu alikua akiingia kwa nyumba karibu aue watu, tulikua tunamuogopa kama simba,” he revealed.
Translation: “People want me to raise my child the way my father raised me. When my father entered the house, he almost killed people; we feared him like a lion.”
Refusing to adopt the stern, distant persona of the generations before him, Kanyari declared that his relationship with Sky is built on mutual love and friendship.
“Lakini mimi and my daughter we are very friendly, tunapendana sana (But me and my daughter, we are very friendly, we love each other very much),” he added.
Beyond the physical affection, Kanyari is also defending his “doting father” persona by flashing the cash. He recently revealed he granted Sky’s request for Ksh300,000 just to redecorate her bedroom.
The pastor further stirred the pot by encouraging other parents to let their daughters embrace modern, trendy fashion.
“Don’t make them dress like old women,” he quipped, dismissing those who claimed Sky’s wardrobe was inappropriate for her age.
The drama comes at a sensitive time for the family following the tragic death of Kanyari’s ex-wife, gospel star Betty Bayo.
While Kanyari has used his platforms to assert his role as the sole biological guardian—declaring that “no one should try to take his children away”—others are worried about the psychological impact on the kids.
Popular comedian Dr. Ofweneke is among those calling for restraint, suggesting that Sky should be kept off social media to protect her privacy during her grieving process.
