Pastor Kanyari says Raila called him, pleaded for prayers before dying in India

Salvation Healing Ministries head preacher Pastor Victor Kanyari has opened up about his emotional last conversation with the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, revealing that the leader personally called him from India just days before his death and requested prayers.

Kanyari, speaking to a local YouTuber on Thursday, October 16, 2025, claimed that he had been in contact with Raila several times and that their final conversation happened only four days before the tragedy.

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Kanyari added that during the call, Raila said he was not feeling well and asked for prayers.

“It is very sad news about Baba’s death. We had been talking, and even while he was in India, he called me personally and asked me to pray for him because he was not feeling well. I feel deep pain because we spoke just a few days ago, about four days before his passing,” he said.

The clergyman added that the late leader had promised to visit his church in Njiru to witness the empowerment initiatives and community support activities being undertaken there.

According to Kanyari, Raila had expressed interest in attending a worship service at the church and spending time with congregants, plans that now remain unfulfilled.

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He described the news of Raila’s passing as extremely painful, saying he felt deep sorrow and disbelief following the death of a man he admired and supported politically for years.

“He told me that when he returned, he would visit Njiru to see the empowerment projects I am doing and to witness how I help people here. He even promised that he would attend a service at the church. That is why this news has really broken my heart,” the pastor added.

Kanyari said he had always believed in Raila’s ideologies and vision for the country, having voted for him in all five elections he contested.

He expressed heartbreak over the loss, noting that Raila’s humility, generosity, and commitment to the people had set him apart as a selfless national leader.

“I have supported Raila in every election. I have voted for him five times because I believed in his ideologies and his vision for Kenya. I am in deep sorrow because I do not even know whether to eat or drink. I just feel like crying because his death has touched me personally,” he added.

Also watch: Museveni calls on young people to fill void left by Raila in special tribute

First encounter

The preacher further disclosed that his first encounter with Raila occurred several years ago when he was entangled in the infamous ‘310 scandal’.

During that period, Kanyari said Raila offered him encouragement and counsel after he reached out to explain how he was being unfairly targeted.

“Raila was a humble man who did not live for himself. He lived for others, and he loved this country deeply. May God rest his soul in eternal peace. The first time I spoke with him was during my own difficult time when I was being accused in the 310 scandal. I had gone to visit him in Karen and also spoke with him over the phone. I explained to him how I had been falsely accused and attacked publicly,” he said.

He recounted that Raila assured him to remain strong if he knew the accusations were untrue and reminded him that truth would eventually prevail.

Kanyari said the gesture left a lasting impression on him, as Raila showed empathy and understanding rather than judgement at a time when he was facing immense public criticism.

“He told me to stay strong if I knew what was being said about me was not true, and to have courage because the truth would eventually come out. That advice gave me hope and strength to move on,” he added.

Disclaimer: Despite the preacher’s confidence in making the statements, his claims could still be viewed as publicity-driven, given his recent transition to TikTok content creation and his growing presence on the video-sharing platform.