Betty Bayo’s brother reveals the pain she lived with in her last days

Tension is beginning to emerge within the family of the late gospel singer Betty Bayo, who passed away on Monday, 10 November at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) shortly after doctors discovered she was suffering from advanced blood cancer.

In the days following her burial, public attention has shifted from mourning her loss to questioning the circumstances surrounding her final days—and why her family was not aware of her condition.

Family Shocked by Late Discovery

Betty’s brother, Edward Kang’ethe Mbugua, went live on TikTok with a startling revelation: the family had no idea she was battling a serious illness.

Mbugua said Betty only ever mentioned minor issues—occasional headaches, flu and general fatigue—but never anything that suggested a life-threatening disease.

“She never told me she was seriously sick,” he said. “At home, we didn’t know of any underlying condition. We only learned what was happening at the very end.”

By the time the family was called and rushed to KNH, Mbugua added, her condition had already deteriorated sharply.

Conflicting Accounts Fuel Public Debate

Mbugua’s version of events contradicts claims made by gospel singer Shiru wa GP, a close friend of Betty. According to Shiru, the mother of two had been unwell for about a week and first sought treatment at AAR Hospital before being referred to KNH.

The conflicting narratives have ignited widespread discussion online, with many Kenyans questioning why Betty’s family was seemingly kept in the dark while her friends were aware of her illness.

Some of the reactions included:

• njeri1750: “How did her friends know she was sick but her family didn’t? Why didn’t she tell them?”

• loved: “They lost their sister so suddenly. The burial was very high-profile, and they didn’t seem included. Their grief, anger, and shock make sense.”

• Tabby Mwangi: “It was up to Betty to tell her family if she was unwell.”

Concerns Over the Future of Her Children

As the family processes the loss and the lingering questions around her illness, attention has also turned to the welfare of Betty’s children, Sky and Danivictor.

Mbugua expressed his belief that the children should ultimately live with their biological father, Pastor Victor Kanyari, noting that he had remained supportive even after separating from Betty.

For now, the children are staying with Betty’s husband, Hiram “Tash” Gitau, following the burial—a situation that continues to stir debate both within the family and among members of the public.