City preacher Kanyari has ignited a fresh wave of online debate after directly mentioning social media figures Manzi wa Mombasa and Marion Naipei during a church service, urging them to walk into his ministry.
The remarks, delivered in a sermon that has since gone viral, placed the two influencers at the centre of a heated national conversation blending faith, fame, and Kenya’s fast-growing digital culture.
“Church is for everyone” — Kanyari declares
In his message, Kanyari insisted that no one is beyond the reach of the church, saying spiritual spaces must remain open even to those who trend online for controversial reasons.
“Church is not for perfect people. It is for everyone. Even those you see trending on social media, I welcome them to come,” he said.
He went further to specifically mention Manzi wa Mombasa and Marion Naipei, stating that he would personally welcome them if they chose to attend service.
The statement immediately drew attention from congregants and later exploded across social media platforms.
Names spark instant online storm
Within hours, clips of the sermon began circulating widely, triggering a wave of reactions across TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), where Kenyans debated whether the preacher’s comments were purely spiritual—or strategically calculated for attention.
Some users applauded the message, arguing that the church should not discriminate based on public perception or online reputation.
Others, however, accused the preacher of “chasing clout,” suggesting that the mention of viral personalities was a deliberate move to tap into their massive online following.
One X user wrote: “Kanyari knows exactly what he is doing. These names guarantee attention.”
Another countered: “Church is exactly where people like them should be. No judgment.”
Influencers remain silent
Despite the online storm, both Manzi wa Mombasa and Marion Naipei had not publicly responded to the remarks at the time of publication.
Their silence has only fueled further speculation online, with users debating whether an appearance in Kanyari’s church could follow.
Faith meets viral culture
The episode underscores a growing trend in Kenya where religious spaces increasingly intersect with influencer culture, with pastors, musicians, and digital creators often finding themselves in the same viral conversations.
For Kanyari, however, the message remained simple: the church is open to all—regardless of fame, controversy, or online reputation.
Still, in today’s digital Kenya, even a sermon is never just a sermon—it is content, conversation, and controversy rolled into one.
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