NAIROBI, Kenya — The sudden death of celebrated Kenyan gospel artist Betty Bayo has prompted her immediate family to take legal action, officially filing a petition for a formal inquest into the circumstances surrounding her passing.
The family’s move to seek an official judicial inquiry comes amid escalating public disputes and lingering questions over the singer’s final days and cause of death.
Betty Bayo passed away on November 20, 2025, bringing a vibrant career to an abrupt end and sparking intense familial discord. The formal request for an inquest signals the family’s desire for an independent investigation and potential court-ordered post-mortem examination to establish a definitive cause of death.
The push for a deeper investigation has been spearheaded by the singer’s mother, who has publicly expressed strong doubts and suspicion regarding the circumstances. In recent statements, the mother articulated a specific desire for exhumation to facilitate an autopsy.
The singer’s brother, Edward Kang’ethe Mbugua, further fueled the calls for transparency, alleging that close family members were not adequately informed about Bayo’s health status prior to her demise.
Mbugua also voiced concerns over unresolved household matters and alleged poor management of the singer’s affairs immediately preceding her death.
Separated partner’s silence
The inquest filing brings renewed focus onto Betty Bayo’s long-term partner, known as Tash, with whom the singer shared two children.
Sources close to the family, including prominent clergy figure Pastor Victor Kanyari, confirmed that Bayo and Tash had reportedly separated several months before her death.
Also Read: Pastor Kanyari bows out, lets Betty Bayo’s children stay with the man who replaced him
Pastor Kanyari, in a public statement urging restraint and respect for the grieving mother, acknowledged the ongoing tension: “I was moved by the mother’s pain and appealed for calm and understanding.”
Kanyari emphasized that his focus remains solely on the welfare of Bayo’s children and clarified he had no interest in her assets or estate.
The family’s petition for an inquest now places the matter in the hands of the courts, which will determine whether a full inquiry, including an autopsy or exhumation, is warranted to resolve the deep-seated conflicts and provide official clarity regarding the final moments of the popular artist.
