Controversial Nairobi preacher Pastor Victor Kanyari is steadily redefining his public image, shifting from a figure often linked to past controversy to one increasingly associated with structured youth empowerment programmes targeting unemployed residents in Kasarani and surrounding areas.
With growing political undertones ahead of the 2027 General Election, Kanyari has in recent months rolled out a series of high-profile initiatives focused on small business support, drawing both praise and scrutiny in equal measure.
Motorbikes for youth: the biggest talking point
The most visible of his initiatives remains the distribution of over 310 motorbikes to youth groups and boda boda operators in Kasarani.
At one of the events held at his church grounds, rows of new motorcycles were lined up as beneficiaries celebrated what organisers described as an “economic turnaround opportunity” for jobless youth struggling with unemployment.
Kanyari defended the initiative, insisting it was about dignity and survival rather than publicity.
“People think empowerment is just talk, but when a young person gets a tool to work, that is real change. We cannot keep waiting for jobs that are not coming,” he said during a church event.
Mkokoteni, smokie carts and small business kits
Beyond motorcycles, Kanyari’s empowerment drive has expanded into informal-sector tools widely used in Kenya’s urban economy.
These include mkokoteni (handcarts) for transport businesses, smokie-and-egg vending trolleys, and basic car wash equipment.
The idea, according to church organisers, is to target micro-businesses that require low capital but offer quick daily income potential.
One beneficiary, a 24-year-old from Githurai, said receiving a smokie trolley changed his daily reality.
“I used to do casual jobs in construction, but they were not stable. Now I sell smokies every evening and I can plan my life better,” he said.
Cash support and vulnerable families
In addition to business tools, Kanyari has also been linked to direct cash donations and emergency support to struggling families, including cases that have gone viral on social media.
Recently, he pledged assistance to the family of the viral “Kwa Mbae” boy whose story attracted nationwide attention.
In another instance, a single mother who attended one of his services said she received support after narrating her financial struggles.
“He did not just pray for me. I was given something small to restart my business. That is what helped me,” she said.
Mixed reactions and political debate
While supporters praise the initiatives as practical and life-changing, critics argue that the highly publicised donations are closely tied to his growing political ambitions in Kasarani.
Some online commentators have questioned whether the empowerment programmes are sustainable or primarily designed to build political goodwill ahead of 2027.
However, supporters insist the initiatives are already making a tangible difference in communities where unemployment remains high.
A changing narrative
Whether viewed as genuine philanthropy or political strategy, Kanyari’s empowerment model is increasingly visible in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
From motorbikes and mkokoteni to smokie stalls and car wash kits, his approach is rooted in the realities of Kenya’s informal economy—where survival often depends on small, daily income-generating activities rather than formal employment.
As one church member summed it up after receiving a business trolley:
“It may look small to others, but for me, it is everything. It has given me a start.”
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