Kanayo was born on 1 March 1962, he is a native of Nru Umueze Oboama Ezinihitte in Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. He was raised in Aba, Abia State and attended St. Joseph primary school. He had his secondary education at Secondary Technical School, Aba. He obtained a diploma in Mass Communication, a diploma in Law, and a graduate degree in philosophy from the University of Lagos. He also obtained a master's degree in political sciences. He also obtained a law degree from the University of Abuja in 2018 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2020. Kanayo started his acting career in 1982, acting in productions by the Nigerian Television Authority. He made his debut movie appearance in the year 1992 in the film Living in Bondage.[1] He has starred in over 100 films and was nominated in 2008 for the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie Across the Niger.His most recent movies are Up North and Living in Bondage: Breaking Free. In 2011, he contested for the Chair of Imo State House of Representatives but lost. In 2018, he contested for representative of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise in the Federal House Of Representatives under the political party APGA but lost. He has featured in multiple Nollywood productions including Lion Heart and the sitcom Professor Johnbull, However, he is known for playing the role of a Villain in these productions, especially in films relating to occultic practices. He has received the order of the MFR. Kanayo was among various Nigerians honored by the government in 2014 during the centenary celebration.