Salvation Healing Ministry founder, Pastor Victor Kanyari has recalled how he lost KSh400,000 (approximately US$3,000) after being persuaded by a young Nairobi resident to try sports betting. Speaking during a church service on Sunday, June 14, 2026, Kanyari said the young man claimed to be a sports betting expert who could generate huge profits within a short period.
He even claimed they could make up to KSh10 million in a single day. Kanyari said the conversation began when he asked the young man whether he understood sports betting. The man responded confidently that he was a professional bettor.
“So, I asked that young man if he knew how to bet, and he said he knew. He even said he is a pro and that he can even bet in a way that we could make KSh10 million each in a day. I was very interested after he told me that,” Kanyari recalled.
According to the pastor, he decided to test the claim by sending an initial stake of KSh50,000.
The first bet proved successful, returning KSh200,000 and convincing him that sports betting could be a legitimate way to make money. “I asked him how much we should start with on the first round, and he said KSh50,000, so I sent it instantly. He placed the bet, and we won KSh200,000,” he said.
Encouraged by the early success, Kanyari said they reinvested the KSh200,000 winnings into another bet. However, the wager was unsuccessful, wiping out the entire amount. The young man reportedly explained that the loss occurred because he had selected the wrong betting option. Believing it was an honest mistake, Kanyari agreed to fund another KSh200,000 bet after being assured that greater care would be taken to secure a larger payout.
“I started questioning myself and thought maybe betting is real and not a scam like I had been thinking. So we placed another bet with KSh200,000, but that round we did not win. The man told me not to worry because he had made a mistake and pressed the wrong option, which is why we lost,” Kanyari added.
The second attempt also ended in a loss, bringing his total losses to KSh400,000. Kanyari said he immediately asked the young man to leave his home, ending the betting experiment.
“So, he told me we should place another KSh200,000 and promised that this time he would be careful and we would win big. I gave him the money. But again, we did not win, and I told him to leave my place immediately. I was very hopeful at the time. While he was betting, I was just sitting there cooking ugali for him so he could concentrate on betting,” Kanyari said.
Kanyari’s experience highlights the unpredictable nature of sports betting, where an early win can create a false sense of confidence before significant losses occur. Gambling outcomes are determined by uncertain sporting results, meaning even experienced bettors cannot guarantee consistent profits.
Responsible gambling advocates, including the National Council on Problem Gambling, caution that no betting strategy can eliminate risk and encourage bettors to gamble only within their financial limits, avoid chasing losses, and view betting as entertainment rather than a reliable source of income.
