“She Never Told Us”: Betty Bayo’s Brother Shares Painful Details of Her Final Days

Tension is beginning to surface within the family of the late gospel singer Betty Bayo, who sadly passed away at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Monday, 10th November.

Her death came shortly after doctors discovered she was suffering from advanced blood cancer.

In the days following the burial, the conversation has moved beyond the singer's passing to focus on the circumstances surrounding her final illness.

Betty’s brother, Edward Kang’ethe Mbugua, went live on TikTok and made the shocking disclosure that the singer's immediate family had been completely unaware she was battling a serious illness.

Mbugua explained that Betty only ever mentioned minor discomforts—such as simple headaches or the occasional flu—but never anything remotely pointing to a life-threatening condition.

He stated that neither he nor the wider family had received any prior information about her deteriorating health.

“She never told me she was seriously sick,” Mbugua explained. “At home, we didn’t know of any underlying condition. We only learned what was happening at the very end.”

ALSO READ: Gone Too Soon: The Unforgettable Journey of Betty Bayo

He added that by the time the family was contacted and rushed to the hospital, the singer’s condition had already worsened rapidly and was critical.

Contradicting Accounts and Public Debate

Mbugua’s account stands in stark contrast to information provided by close friend, gospel singer Shiru wa GP. Shiru claimed that Betty, the mother of two, had been unwell for approximately a week, initially visiting AAR Hospital before her condition required a referral to KNH.

The disparity in knowledge between the family and close friends has fuelled intense public debate online.

Kenyans have shared mixed and emotional reactions, with many debating why Betty’s relatives were seemingly excluded from information regarding her medical situation.

• njeri1750:“How did her friends know she was sick but her family didn’t? Why didn’t she tell them?”

• loved:“They lost their sister so suddenly. The burial was very high-profile, and they didn’t seem included. Their grief, anger, and shock make sense.”

• Tabby Mwangi:“It was up to Betty to tell her family if she was unwell.”

The Future of Betty’s Children

Amidst the shock and conflicting accounts, a major concern for the family is the wellbeing of Betty’s children, Sky and Danivictor.

Mbugua publicly stated his view that the children should ultimately stay with their biological father, Pastor Victor Kanyari, noting that the pastor continued to support them even after his separation from Betty.

The children have, for the time being, been living with Betty’s husband, Hiram “Tash” Gitau, following the burial, ensuring the debate over their long-term custody remains a highly charged topic for the family and the public alike.