Pastor Victor Kanyari announced during a church service on Sunday, November 23, 2025, that he has permitted Hiram ‘Tash’ Gitau, the husband of his late ex-wife Betty Bayo, to continue caring for their two children. This declaration follows a period of intense public speculation and a leaked audio recording in which Kanyari was allegedly heard discussing a custody dispute with Tash.

The decision comes after the death of acclaimed gospel artist Betty Bayo, legally known as Beatrice Mbugua, on Monday, November 10, 2025, from complications related to leukaemia. Her passing ignited a national conversation about the future welfare of her children, caught between their biological father, Kanyari, and their stepfather, Tash, with whom they had been living.

In his address at his Nairobi church, Kanyari stated he told Tash to stay with the children, acknowledging the widower's grief. "I know he is hurt... and the people who can make him feel that his soul is perhaps at peace are my children being close to him," Kanyari explained to his congregation. He added, "Tash used to ask who will stay with the kids after Bayo's death and I told him to stay with them." This public statement marks a significant de-escalation from the tone captured in the earlier leaked audio, where Kanyari seemed to suggest a potential conflict over custody.

Legal and Social Context

Under Kenyan law, the biological father typically assumes parental responsibility upon the mother's death. The Children Act (Cap 141), Section 34, stipulates that the surviving biological father automatically inherits this role. However, legal experts note that the paramount consideration for the court is always the child's best interest. A stepfather like Tash, who has been a primary caregiver, can petition for guardianship, and the court would consider factors such as the children's emotional bonds and their own wishes if they are of a mature age.

The situation reflects the complexities of blended families in Kenya, a topic that has dominated public discourse since Bayo's passing. Before her death, Bayo and Kanyari were reportedly co-parenting effectively, with Kanyari providing financial support. Bayo married Tash on December 17, 2021, after her separation from Kanyari, which followed a high-profile scandal involving the pastor.

A Publicly Grieved Family

The custody issue became public after Bayo's burial on Thursday, November 20, 2025. A recorded TikTok livestream captured Kanyari expressing frustration over the custody arrangements. This, combined with Kanyari leaking past WhatsApp conversations with Bayo about school fees, drew mixed reactions from the Kenyan public, with some criticising him for a lack of privacy and others defending his right as a father.

At Bayo's funeral, both Kanyari and Tash delivered emotional tributes, vowing to prioritize the children's well-being. Kanyari publicly apologized for any pain his past controversies may have caused Bayo, while Tash spoke of his profound loss and his commitment to raising the children as their "living legacy." The apparent unity at the funeral was later challenged by the leaked audio, making Kanyari's recent church announcement a surprising turn of events for many observers.

While Kanyari's statement appears to settle the matter for now, it remains an informal arrangement. The long-term legal custody of the children has not been formally determined by a court. The focus for the family, as expressed by both men, remains on navigating their grief and ensuring a stable environment for the children who have lost their mother.