In the days following gospel singer Betty Bayo’s untimely death, her friends and family have been sharing touching memories that reveal the depth of her love, faith, and dreams especially for her daughter, Sky Victor.
Although her life was tragically cut short by leukaemia, the “Eleventh Hour” hitmaker had spent her final months making plans for her children’s future and nurturing a strong vision of hope and education.
According to her close friend, travel agency owner Sarah Mtalii, Betty had been determined to expose Sky to global opportunities and world-class education.
“She wanted Sky to become a global citizen,” Sarah said. “That’s why she planned to send her to the Cambridge University summer camp and, next year, to the Harvard University summer camp. We had so many plans to make our kids better than we are.”
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Sarah recalled that every conversation with Betty somehow returned to Sky her learning, her curiosity, and the bright future her mother dreamed for her. “There’s even a museum she mentioned that she thought would inspire Sky. She was so passionate about learning, growth, and giving her child what she never had,” she said.
The two friends had met recently to plan a family vacation for Betty and her son, Danivictor, unaware that it would be their last time together. Beyond their friendship, they shared ambitions to build businesses, travel the world, and raise children who would go further than they ever could.
“She stood by me last year when I was going through a hard time,” Sarah said. “We had big dreams to travel the world and invest together. It was God’s will that she left, but I pray the dreams she had for Sky will come true.”
Now, determined to keep her late friend’s vision alive, Sarah has vowed to support Sky’s education and ensure that Betty’s hopes for her daughter are fulfilled. “My pledge to Sky is that I will help her achieve all the dreams her mum had,” she said. “Poleni sana to the family and to all of Betty’s friends.”
Betty Bayo: A Tribute to a Life of Faith and Music
Betty Bayo, whose real name was Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, was one of Kenya’s most beloved gospel artists. Born in a humble family, she rose to national fame through her hit song “Eleventh Hour,” which deeply resonated with listeners across the country. Her music combined themes of worship with everyday realities from heartbreak and financial pressure to parenting and faith all told through a conversational, story-like style that made her relatable to audiences beyond the church.
Her songs such as “Ngai Ti Mundu,” “Atasimama Nawe,” and “Nikuhadwo” carried messages of hope and perseverance that inspired thousands. Through her music, Betty became a beacon of strength and faith during hardship, touching countless lives with her authenticity and compassion.
Betty’s personal journey was marked by both triumph and struggle. She was once in a relationship with Pastor Victor Kanyari, with whom she had two children. Their relationship ended following a scandal, but Betty eventually found love again with Hiram Gitau, popularly known as Tosh, and the two held a traditional wedding in 2021. Her openness about her life her pain, faith, and resilience made her one of the most transparent and admired figures in Kenya’s gospel industry.
In August 2025, Betty revealed that she had been hospitalized due to health complications but did not disclose the seriousness of her illness at the time. It was later confirmed that she was battling advanced blood cancer (leukaemia). Despite her declining health, she continued to post uplifting messages on social media, crediting her strength to God’s grace and inspiring others through her faith.
Betty Bayo passed away on November 10, 2025, at Kenyatta National Hospital after a courageous battle with leukaemia. Her death sent shockwaves through Kenya’s gospel community. Tributes poured in from across the country, with Bishop Benson Gathungu Kamau describing her as a woman who “leaves behind a legacy of great contribution to the growth of the gospel music industry, friendship, and a soul that maximised its full potential.”
Her story one of resilience, humility, and unwavering belief continues to inspire a generation of gospel artists and believers across Kenya and beyond.
