Veteran Kenyan televangelist Pastor Victor Mwangi Kanyari has once again found himself at the centre of public debate after confirming that, at the height of his “Mbegu ya 310” campaign, he received up to Sh 1 million daily from followers who sent him money in the belief it would trigger divine blessings.
The 310 seed money scandal—named after the small amount KSh 310 that congregants were told to send in exchange for God’s favour—was first exposed in 2014 when KTN’s Jicho Pevu investigative team revealed the details of how the campaign operated.
In recent interviews, Kanyari defended his controversial fundraising strategy, claiming the initiative drew large sums because it resonated with believers. According to him, his followers were willing to part with money in the hope of receiving spiritual intervention and blessings. “I used to get Sh 1 million per day,” he said, inviting listeners to “do the math” on how much such daily contributions would have meant over several years.
The preacher also portrayed the KSh 310 offering as modest compared with other religious demands. Kanyari argued that many churches ask for significantly larger sums—sometimes thousands of shillings or even livestock—for blessings, whereas his initial request was relatively small.
“Sh 310 ilikuwa mingi kwa sababu kwa siku haungekosa kama millioni moja, so you can imagine ata ukipata siku 30 hiyo ni sh 30 million, ilikuwa pesa mingi hiyo sh 310 niliiitisha miaka nne,” he disclosed.
In earlier remarks, Kanyari openly acknowledged that the 310 initiative was born out of his own financial struggles, not an unequivocal divine mandate. He admitted that when he launched the campaign, he was deeply in financial difficulty and desperate for a breakthrough. “I didn’t have money, that’s why I started asking for KSh 310… Poverty had overwhelmed me,” he confessed in a sermon quoted by media.
Despite the scandal’s lingering reputation, Kanyari continues to lead his Salvation Healing Ministry and maintain a strong presence in Christian media. Recent years have also seen him branch into new initiatives, including membership fees and other fundraising models that remain controversial among faith observers.
The 310 seed money episode remains one of the most widely discussed controversies involving a Kenyan pastor in recent decades, partly because it highlighted the intersection of faith, economics, and media influence. While Kanyari insists his intentions were genuine and geared toward helping people spiritually, many remain sceptical and see his campaigns as emblematic of wider concerns within charismatic Christian circles.