When gospel artiste Beatrice Wairimu aka Betty Bayo was pronounced dead on November 10 while undergoing treatment for leukaemia at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), politicians launched something of a mourning “competition”.
The announcement about her demise was made by Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina who, while flanked by several artistes, friends and relatives, said she was mourning “my former hood-mate (estate mate) along Kiambu Road”.
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi also provided the country with more updates, describing how the deceased was taken ill, taken to hospital and even though appearing to be in good health, nevertheless succumbed.
Beyond the family drama where two gentlemen – Preacher Victor Kanyari, her ex-husband, and Mr Hiram Gitau, the widower – showed up to mourn, in came the politicians.
Among them was Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) boss Rigathi Gachagua who gave Sh300,000 for the burial budget through Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara.
Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah followed and quietly donated — and then bang! In came President William Ruto with his Deputy Kithure Kindiki and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addresses mourners at the burial of the late gospel artist Betty Bayo in Ndumberi, Kiambu County.
Photo credit: DPCS
The stage had been set right when a burial committee member, Ngaruiya Junior, announced that “this is not a sectarian political affair where we bring our differences... All are welcome to mourn with us and all help available and extended to this mourning family shall count in God's reward scheme”.
Mr Gachagua had said: “It is the tradition of us in Mt Kenya region to take handkerchiefs to the grieving families...In my personal capacity and that of my family I stand to be counted — accept my contribution.”
Former President Kenyatta gave a personal donation of Sh1 million to support Betty’s funeral expenses and also pledged to cover the education costs of her two children through the Kenyatta Foundation. The donation was made on November 15 by his spokesperson Kanze Dena.
Mr Kenyatta praised Betty as “an extraordinary minister of the gospel whose music uplifted countless hearts and inspired hope across the nation”. He added that the Kenyatta Foundation will provide scholarships for Betty’s children, covering full school fees, learning materials, mentorship opportunities, and long-term educational assistance.
The Retired President's philanthropy had not even sunk in well among the mourning family, fans and friends before the big announcement came.
President Ruto came in and proved his executive philanthropy when he gave out Sh10 million donation.
“The donation is a joint venture between the Head of State and me as his deputy (Prof Kindiki). This is for supporting the education of her children in a [yet]-to-be-established trust fund,” Prof Kindiki said during the burial in Kiambu County on Thursday.
This leaves Betty’s children well catered for financially with a Kenyatta Foundation and a State House trust fund established to oversee their current and future intellectual pursuits.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki condoles with the family, friends and fans of the late gospel artist Betty Bayo in Ndumberi, Kiambu County.
Photo credit: DPCS
“Mourning is individual; giving is voluntary. Death and disease do not discriminate. It is the nature of human beings, especially those privileged, to support bereavement through generosity,” he said. “Those of us in the ‘Tutam’ (supporters of President Ruto’s re-election) movement are more privileged and that is why our contributions were higher.”
Mr Kiunjuri went on: “This was not a competition of egos and trooping of colour, rather a humble drive to genuinely and committedly support an icon of evangelisation through gospel music artistry as well as from the pulpit.”
“As opposed to our competitors who of late have been perusing through obituaries to identify burial dates and venues to attend and politic, we in government respond to bereavement as honest mourners,” he added.
The coffin bearing the remains of gospel singer Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, popularly known as Betty Bayo (inset). She was laid to rest in Mugumo Estate, Kiambu County, on November 20, 2025.
Photo credit: Elizabeth Ngigi | Nation Media Group
But Mr Martin Munene who chairs the Music Composers and Producers Welfare Union, argues that Betty’s bereavement was “where prominence was met with prominence”.
“Every day, people die — including from the villages of all those you saw donating millions and promising more into the future,” he said.
“While they do not respond with similar fanfare and generosity to many of those cases, Betty on grounds of having thousands of fans in the Mt Kenya entertainment industry was treated as a death of great political promise in a game where numbers matter.”
“Looking at the huge response from who-is-who in politics exemplifies the political game in search of Mt Kenya numbers,” he added. “This is no different from what you saw with the demise of Raila Odinga...All deaths are equal but some are equal than others, especially those that serve high-stake interests.”
Betty Bayo's family and friends gather at her graveside.
Photo credit: Pool
The burial that happened in Ndumberi village of Kiambu County saw politicians flock to the scene, drawn from both government and opposition.
Among them were People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Chama cha Kazi boss Moses Kuria, nominated senator Karen Nyamu, nominated MP Sabina Chege, woman representatives Ann Muratha (Kiambu) and Esther Passaris (Nairobi), Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.
