It was a scene of sorrow and heartbreak as family, friends, and fans gathered to view the body of gospel singer Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, popularly known as Betty Bayo, who passed away on November 10.
Bayo was pronounced dead at Kenyatta National Hospital, where she had been receiving treatment for advanced-stage blood cancer (leukemia).
Her ex-husband, Pastor Victor Kanyari, with whom she had two children, was visibly overwhelmed with grief as he viewed her body.
Family and friends surrounded him, offering comfort during this deeply emotional moment.
Bayo rose to prominence through her uplifting hit song “Eleventh Hour”, a track that resonated widely due to its powerful message of hope and divine intervention.
The song became an anthem in churches and across gospel platforms, solidifying her place among influential gospel voices in Kenya.
Fellow artists and industry stakeholders have poured in tributes, describing her as a humble, gifted, and inspirational figure whose music touched countless lives.
Kanyari, Bayo’s ex-husband, led the tributes in an emotional message saying:
“It hurts in ways I can’t explain. You left before I could say everything I needed to. I still see you in every laugh our children give, in every little habit that reminds me of you. We had our moments, both the fire and the calm, but through it all, you were family. I’ll carry your memory, your love, and your spirit forever. Rest easy; you’ll always be missed.”
President William Ruto led the country in mourning gospel sensation Bayo, describing her as an “extraordinary gospel artist” whose music carried hope and strength to millions of Kenyans.
In a deeply emotional tribute released hours after news of her death broke, the President said her ministry had uplifted countless people across the country.
“We mourn the passing of Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, fondly known as Betty Bayo, an extraordinary gospel artiste whose voice carried hope into the hearts of countless Kenyans," Ruo said in a statement.
"Her breakthrough hit, ‘11th Hour,’ was a powerful anthem of divine turnaround that inspired the faithful and comforted many who sought strength, healing, and reassurance in gospel music."
On Monday, family spokespersons described the loss as a
huge blow to the family and the gospel fraternity.
They said
Bayo had been hospitalised since last week after being diagnosed with blood
cancer.
“We want to
tell the public that today at 1:03 pm, we lost Betty Bayo. It is no longer a
rumour; it is the truth,” the family spokesperson said during the briefing.
The family
explained that Bayo’s illness progressed rapidly, leading to complications that
doctors tried to manage before she passed away.
According to
the family, she had been diagnosed with acute mild leukaemia, which resulted in
excessive bleeding.
Her body was moved to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital Mortuary.
