Renowned Kenyan gospel musician Beatrice Mbugua, popularly known as Betty Bayo, has died in Nairobi following a battle with blood cancer. The family confirmed she passed away at approximately 1:03 PM EAT on Monday, November 10, 2025, while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). She was 38.

A family spokesperson disclosed that Bayo had been diagnosed with acute mild leukaemia about a week prior to her death. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to her admission to AAR Hospital before being transferred to KNH on Friday, November 7, due to excessive bleeding. “The doctors tried their best, but the will of God has prevailed,” the family stated during a press briefing at the hospital.

Bayo’s passing has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s music and faith communities, where she was celebrated as a voice of endurance and hope. Her ex-husband, Pastor Victor Kanyari, and her current husband, Hiram ‘Tash’ Gitau, were both present at the hospital, united in grief.

A Journey of Faith and Resilience

Born in Banana, Kiambu County, Betty Bayo was the youngest of eight children and rose from humble beginnings. She often spoke of dropping out of school in Form Two due to financial hardship and working as a house helper for two years before resuming her education. This early struggle became a central part of her testimony, allowing her to connect deeply with a wide audience through her music.

Bayo burst onto the national stage in the early 2010s with her hit song “11th Hour,” a powerful anthem of hope that became a staple in churches and homes across the country. Singing mainly in Kikuyu and Swahili, her music blended themes of worship with the real-life struggles of family, finances, and faith. Other popular songs included “Siyabonga,” “Jemedari,” and “Maneno.”

Her personal life was often the subject of intense public scrutiny, particularly her relationship with the controversial televangelist Victor Kanyari, with whom she had two children, Sky and Danny. The couple separated around 2015 following a media exposé that linked Kanyari to fake miracles. Bayo consistently denied any involvement in wrongdoing and later framed herself as a survivor who had rebuilt her life.

A New Chapter and Final Days

In December 2021, Bayo married Hiram ‘Tash’ Gitau in a traditional ceremony, a union she described as a “second chance” and an answered prayer. The couple shared a blended family and lived in Edenville Estate, a gated community in Kiambu.

According to close friends, Bayo battled her illness privately, fearing public ridicule on social media during her most vulnerable moments. Her friend, fellow musician Shiru Wa GP, revealed that Bayo's health declined sharply in her final weeks, leading to complications that included a stroke.

Mourners, including political figures like Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah and Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi, have been visiting the family’s home to offer their condolences. Funeral arrangements are underway, with daily prayer meetings being held at the family home and at Bluesprings Hotel. The family announced that a memorial service will be held at the Christian Foundation Fellowship Church on Kiambu Road, and she will be buried on Thursday, November 20, at Mugumo Estate, where she had purchased land.

Betty Bayo leaves behind her husband, two children, and a powerful legacy of music that spoke to the struggles and faith of ordinary Kenyans.