The late Betty Bayo and her mother in United States. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
NAIROBI, Kenya; The death of gospel musician Betty Bayo has taken a sharp investigative turn after her mother, Joyce Wairimu Mbugua, demanded a fresh postmortem and the exhumation of her daughter’s body. She believes the initial explanation did not offer full clarity and insists only a forensic review can settle unanswered questions.
During a live address on social media, Joyce said the family has been left in the dark about key medical details. She argued that the original report lacked vital information and created more confusion than closure.
Her call for exhumation has intensified public interest, with many wondering why fundamental facts remain unclear months after the burial.
Disputed documents fuel deeper suspicions
Central to the dispute is the claim that Betty’s burial permit and death certificate were issued under the wrong name. Joyce alleges that her daughter’s widower, Hiram Gitau, known as Tash, was listed as the next of kin despite her insistence that she is the legally recognized custodian.
She says she only provided her identification in good faith, expecting joint decision-making, but now believes the documents were processed without transparency. She describes this as a serious misuse of trust and a red flag that demands legal review.
Investigators and legal experts note that inaccurate next-of-kin records can distort inheritance rights and weaken the chain of accountability.
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Disputes over property and child welfare
Beyond documentation, Joyce has also raised concerns over the handling of Betty’s property. She claims her daughter’s assets risk falling into the wrong hands if not properly safeguarded. She says Betty owned parcels of land and personal effects that should be preserved for her children.
The welfare of the children has become the most sensitive issue. Joyce has pleaded for their immediate relocation from the home they share with Tash, arguing that the environment is unsafe and emotionally distressing after their mother’s death.
She has urged Pastor Victor Kanyari, the children’s father, to initiate official police records to formalize their transfer. She believes her granddaughter, in particular, is vulnerable under the current arrangement.
Questions surrounding Betty’s final wishes
The debate has extended to where Betty should have been buried. Joyce disputes claims that her daughter requested to be buried in Murang’a. She insists Betty was supposed to be laid to rest on land they bought together, not on property where records remain unclear.
She says public narratives circulating online do not reflect the truth and may have been influenced by individuals seeking to shape the story for personal advantage.
The conflicting accounts have raised concerns about whether Betty’s wishes were respected or overridden during the burial process.
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A mother’s search for the full story
Joyce has vowed to pursue every document, property claim, and administrative step until she is satisfied that nothing was concealed. She believes the inconsistencies point to a wider problem that must be addressed through formal investigation.
Her push for transparency has resonated with Kenyans who have followed the case since the singer’s death. Many are now asking whether procedural mistakes played a role in the confusion, or if deeper issues have yet to emerge.
For now, the family remains divided, and the truth about Betty’s final moments continues to be clouded by disputed records, unanswered questions, and conflicting testimonies.
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