Pastor Kanyari defends Tash Gitau, Betty Bayo’s ex-husband

Pastor Victor Kanyari has appealed for calm and privacy, urging social media users to stop attacking his family as tensions continue to swirl online following the death of his ex-wife, gospel singer Betty Bayo.

The public drama intensified after Betty’s brother, Edward Kang’ethe Mbugua, claimed the family was not fully informed about the seriousness of her illness. He also questioned the nature of Betty’s marriage to her widower, Hiram Gitau, popularly known as Tash — remarks that quickly ignited heated debate across social platforms.

At the height of the controversy, Kanyari himself came under fire, with allegations that he was bankrolling bloggers to tarnish Tash’s name — claims he strongly denied. In an earlier church sermon, the preacher further stirred discussion after expressing concern that his children had grown distant since their mother’s death, wondering aloud whether they were being influenced.

Kanyari Calls for Peace

Following widespread backlash, Kanyari has now struck a more conciliatory tone, calling on the public to step back and allow the family space to mourn.

“Social media people fighting the family, please stop,” he said in a recent address. “They should stop fighting Tash. He lived well with Betty Bayo. Leave Sky and Danny alone. Leave that family alone. Let Tash, Danny and Sky rest. Leave Betty’s mum alone.”

He added that while he believes he knows what is best for his children, the moment calls for patience and healing. “For now, let them rest a little bit and it shall be well. Let the past remain in the past and focus on the future,” he said.

Kanyari also encouraged his congregants to lean on church and community support during difficult moments, warning against suffering in isolation.

Netizens React to Change of Tone

The preacher’s softer approach drew mixed but largely positive reactions online, with many praising the shift.

“This is how he should have been speaking from the beginning,” wrote one user, while another commented, “Change of tone — your advisor has done well.” Others expressed cautious optimism, hoping the message was genuine and not prompted by legal pressure.

Sky Publicly Backs Stepfather Tash

The call for calm comes shortly after Betty Bayo’s daughter, Sky, shared a touching video highlighting her stepfather Tash’s role in the family.

In the clip, Tash is seen carefully preparing Sky’s younger brother, Danny (Danivictor), for an outing — buttoning his shirt, applying lotion, brushing his hair, spraying perfume and helping him dress, all in a quiet, fatherly moment.

Sky captioned the video: “Dad getting Danny ready for an outing. Father-son moment.”

The post was widely praised, with many viewers applauding Tash for his visible care and support amid the ongoing custody and family tensions.

As emotions continue to run high, Kanyari’s plea adds to growing calls for restraint, understanding and compassion as the family navigates a painful and public period of loss.

Mystery Deepens Around Gospel Star Betty Bayo’s Death as DPP Orders Fresh Probe

Fresh drama has erupted over the death of beloved gospel singer Betty Bayo after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding her passing.

The move follows a dramatic plea by Betty’s family, led by her mother Joyce Wairimu Mbugua, who formally petitioned the DPP demanding an inquest, insisting all is not as it seems.

According to the family, the singer had no known underlying illness before her sudden death, raising troubling questions about what really happened in her final days. They allege they were shut out of critical medical information, including the post-mortem report and treatment records — a move they say only fuelled their suspicions.

Adding to the controversy, the family claims Betty was buried in a rush, denying them time to seek clarity and deepening fears that crucial details may have been swept under the carpet.

DPP Steps In

In a statement released on Thursday, December 18, the ODPP confirmed it received the family’s complaint on December 9 and agreed the concerns warranted further scrutiny.

“The complaint raises serious concerns and suspicions regarding the circumstances of the deceased’s death, including claims that she had no underlying health condition and that the family was denied access to the post-mortem report,” the statement read.

The DPP has now directed the DCI to carry out thorough investigations and submit a report for review and possible legal action, vowing that the matter will be handled independently and in line with the law.

Kenyans Split Online

News of the probe ignited heated debate online, with Kenyans sharply divided. While some supported the family’s quest for answers, others urged them to let the late singer rest in peace.

“The family and the first husband should be fair to that gentleman,” one user commented, while another warned, “This will traumatise the children. There is no need for this. Let her rest.”

What We Know So Far

Betty Bayo, famed for her soul-stirring Kikuyu gospel hits and growing online presence, died on November 10 while undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital. At the time, the family said she had been battling leukaemia.

She was later laid to rest at her family home in Mugumo Estate, Kiambu County, in an emotional ceremony attended by fellow gospel artistes, friends and relatives.

‘My Child Cried to Me’ — Mother Breaks Down

The controversy intensified after Betty’s mother went live on TikTok with US-based content creator Shiru wa Oakland, recounting what she says was a haunting final conversation with her daughter.

“My child cried to me,” Wairimu said tearfully. “She asked me, ‘Why and who did I leave her with?’ That question has never left my mind.”

She insists the family deserves full transparency, calling for a post-mortem and access to all hospital documents related to Betty’s treatment.

“I want the truth about what happened to my child,” she said. “I need the post-mortem done. I need all her documents. Why is my ID still being held? Why does someone else have the burial permit — and why is the name wrong?”

Wairimu also accused those involved of dodging meetings and ignoring the family’s concerns in the tense days leading up to the burial.

As investigators move in, the nation now waits for answers in a case that has gripped gospel fans and reignited painful questions about what really led to Betty Bayo’s tragic death.

Kanyari unveils 90 million war-chest for custody battle for his and Betty Bayo’s kids

Weeks after the death of gospel singer Betty Bayo, her former husband, Pastor Victor Kanyari, has said he is now ready to fully take up responsibility for their two children.

Betty died on Monday, November 10, while receiving treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia. Her passing sparked widespread public debate over the future of her children, Sky and Danivictor, particularly over whether they should remain with their stepfather, Hiram Gitau alias Tash, or move in with their biological father.

Since her death, the children have continued living at the Edenville home with Tash, who had been raising them alongside their late mother.

Kanyari Explains His Silence

Addressing congregants during a recent sermon at Salvation Healing Ministries, Pastor Kanyari explained that his decision to previously hold back was intentional and rooted in a desire to maintain peace.

He acknowledged that both he and Tash have played fatherly roles in the children’s lives, saying he did not want to escalate emotions during an already painful period.

“There is the father who sired them and the one who raised them. We are two fathers,” Kanyari said. “That is why I did not rush. I am not a violent person. If I wanted conflict, I would have gone there with people and demanded my children. But I did not want war.”

He added that his focus had been on ensuring calm and stability for the children as the family mourned Betty’s death.

Plans for a New Home

During the same sermon, Kanyari revealed that he has secured a residence in Runda, where he plans to live with the children alongside Betty’s sister.

He told the congregation that the house, valued at about KSh 91 million, is fully processed and ready for occupation.

“I have bought a house so that the children can live there together with Betty’s sister,” he said. “The house was going for around KSh 90 million. All the documentation is complete. I think this week I may take them and stay with them. I will raise them.”

Questions Over Custody Process

Despite the announcement, Kanyari did not clarify how the custody transition would be handled or whether legal procedures would be followed.

This has left the public awaiting clarity on whether consultations will take place between Kanyari, Tash, and Betty’s extended family before any changes are made.

Mixed Online Reactions

Kanyari’s remarks triggered varied reactions online, with netizens sharing differing views on what they believe is in the best interest of the children.

Some urged patience and emotional sensitivity, arguing that the children need time to grieve, while others insisted that Kanyari, as their biological father, should step in fully.

Why the Debate Continues

The custody debate intensified after Betty’s mother publicly questioned the children remaining under Tash’s care. She called on Pastor Kanyari to take responsibility and urged authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Betty’s death, alleging that her burial was rushed.

The situation has continued to attract national attention, with family members, church leaders and online commentators weighing in.

So far, no official custody arrangement has been confirmed, and both families are yet to publicly outline an agreed way forward for Sky and Danivictor.

Resurfaced Video Shows Late Gospel Singer Betty Bayo Praising Husband Tash Amid Intensifying Family Rift

A deeply emotional video of the late gospel musician Betty Bayo showering her husband, Hiram “Tash” Gitau, with admiration has resurfaced online, offering a stark contrast to the bitter disputes that have erupted since her death.

The heartfelt clip, now widely circulated, shows Betty speaking openly about the joy she found in her marriage and the powerful difference between simply being married and being happily married.

“I Am Happily Married” — Betty’s Own Testimony

In the video, Betty makes it clear that her union with Tash brought her genuine happiness.

“I am married; so many people are married, but it’s rare to find people who are happily married. Those are two totally different things… So I am happily married.”

She went on to say that what she cherished most was the freedom to be her authentic self. Tash, she said, loved her without conditions or expectations of perfection.

“When you marry your best friend, you don’t have to be what you’re not… He loves me just the way I am as a kienyeji. He doesn’t force me to be anyone else. He embraces who I am, and every day we take it a day at a time.”

“We Married in 2021” — Betty Confirmed Their Official Union

A second resurfaced clip shows Betty firmly stating that her relationship with Tash was not casual or unofficial.

“It’s marriage, not partnership… Ameenda kwetu and it’s official. We got married in 2021.”

Her words directly contradict recent claims that the couple was only cohabiting.

A Marriage Remembered as Posthumous Family Conflict Deepens

The videos come to light as Betty’s family remains embroiled in a highly publicised dispute with Tash following her death on 10 November 2025 at Kenyatta National Hospital, where she was being treated for aggressive leukemia.

After her burial in Mugumo Estate, Kiambu, tensions flared when her brother, Edward Kang’ethe Mbugua, accused Tash of withholding information about the severity of Betty’s illness and questioned the conditions under which she lived.

The conflict escalated when Betty’s mother, Joyce Wairimu, publicly claimed that Tash had not officially married her daughter — an assertion now challenged by Betty’s own recorded testimony. Wairimu has since demanded:

  • An urgent postmortem and potential exhumation

  • Custody of Betty’s children

  • Immediate removal of the children from the home they shared with Tash

Adding to the emotional storm, Betty’s ex-husband and father of her children, Pastor Victor Kanyari, urged Tash to comply with Wairimu’s wishes “to avoid inviting a curse.”

As these competing narratives unfold, the resurfaced videos serve as a powerful reminder of how Betty herself viewed her marriage — a message that now sits at the centre of a growing family battle over her legacy, her children, and the truth of her final years.