Singer Betty Bayo’s Family Demands Inquest, Claims ‘Evil Hand’ in Her Mysterious Death

The family of celebrated gospel musician Betty Bayo has petitioned the Director of Public Prosecutions to launch an inquest into her death, alleging foul play and raising serious questions about the circumstances that led to her sudden demise.

Through their legal representatives, Omenke Andeje and Company Advocates, the deceased’s mother, Joyce Wairimu Mbugua, filed the formal request on Tuesday, expressing deep anguish over what she describes as unexplained events surrounding her daughter’s death.

Betty Bayo, whose real name was Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, died on November 10 at Kenyatta National Hospital while receiving treatment for what medical reports indicated was acute leukaemia. She was 36 years old.

In a strongly worded letter to the DPP, the family has challenged the official explanation of her death, stating that the beloved hitmaker behind songs like “11th Hour” had never exhibited signs of serious illness before her sudden hospitalisation.

“The family has had to go through unbearable pain in accepting the fact that the deceased, who had never exhibited any illness, would just die mysteriously,” the petition reads.

The family insists that an evil hand may have played a role in Betty’s death and is demanding a transparent, independent investigation.

The petition raises several troubling concerns. According to the family, Betty had no documented history of underlying medical conditions prior to her admission at KNH.

They claim they were denied access to both her medical records and the autopsy report, despite repeated requests for this crucial information.

The coffin bearing the remains of gospel singer Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, popularly known as Betty Bayo (inset). She was laid to rest in Mugumo Estate, Kiambu County, on November 20, 2025.

Perhaps most contentiously, the family alleges that Betty’s burial was rushed to conceal facts that may have led to her death.

She was laid to rest on November 20, just ten days after her passing, in an intimate green-themed ceremony at her property in Mugumo Estate along Kiambu Road.

The burial followed a public funeral service at Ndumberi Stadium attended by hundreds of mourners.

However, only about 50 close individuals were allowed at the graveside, with tight security ensuring privacy.

Her casket was lowered into the ground on land she had purchased herself, a decision that ensured neither her former partner, Pastor Victor Kanyari, nor her current husband, Hiram Gitau, had the final right to bury her in their respective homes.

The family has invoked Articles 26(3), 35, and 157(4) of the Constitution, which guarantee the right to life, access to information, and the investigation of suspicious deaths.

“The family thus express their utmost disdain and demands that you hereby direct the Inspector General to urgently move with speed and institute an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, alias Betty Bayo,” the petition states.

Joyce Wairimu, who is based in the United States and was unable to attend her daughter’s burial in person, has made additional claims in recent interviews suggesting that Betty was in a troubled marriage.

The mother sent her tribute through a prayer service held in Seattle, which was delivered during the burial ceremony.

Betty and husband Tash.

When Betty died, a family spokesperson at KNH stated that she had been admitted on Friday after being transferred from AAR Hospital along Kiambu Road. She was reportedly suffering from excessive bleeding caused by complications arising from leukaemia.

Her former partner, Pastor Victor Kanyari, with whom she shared two children, confirmed to the media that Betty had been battling the blood cancer while receiving treatment at the High Dependency Unit.

The gospel singer’s death sent shockwaves through Kenya’s entertainment industry.

President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki donated Sh10 million to support the future of her two children, Sky Victor and Danivictor. The funds were placed in a trust for their education and welfare.

Betty Bayo rose to prominence with her uplifting song “Eleventh Hour”, a powerful track about hope and divine intervention that became an anthem across churches and gospel platforms nationwide.

Her other notable singles include “Ngai Ti Mundu”, “Atasimama Nawe”, and “Nikuhadwo”.

Her last social media post, shared just one day before her death, was a Bible verse that read: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The family’s petition now adds a new and contentious chapter to what was already a highly publicised death.

Whether the authorities will grant the inquest request remains to be seen, but the move signals that those closest to Betty Bayo are unwilling to let her death go uninvestigated.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has yet to respond publicly to the petition.

The late Betty Bayo