Betty Bayo’s close friend, Shiro Stuart, stirred public conversation after sharing a post cautioning people against remaining in toxic marriages.
Her message surfaced at a delicate moment, as the late singer’s family began revealing their concerns regarding what Betty may have been enduring before her passing.
According to her brother, the family was unaware of how critical her condition had become until the final moments.
Betty died on November 10. He also urged Betty’s ex-husband, Pastor Victor Kanyari, to take responsibility for his children and remove them from the care of her widower, Hiram “Tash” Gitau.
Shiro’s Message and the Reactions It Triggered
Stuart—who flew in from the UK with her children to attend the burial—posted a photo looking chic with a Fendi designer bag. Yet it was her caption that drew the most attention. She wrote:
“A narcissist won’t end a marriage because they fear being seen as the villain, even when their behaviour is unbearable. The longer they stay, the more they drain you. They act like saints around your friends so you appear to be the problem. Eventually, you either walk away or the stress destroys you. Also examine yourself—make sure you’re not the narcissist. Do not stay in a toxic marriage to impress anyone.”
Her post quickly ignited reactions online, with many trying to interpret who she might have been referring to.
Some of the responses included:
- @Njeri: “I refuse to believe she’s referring to Kanyari.”
- @Kendi: “I think the marriage wasn’t good, but she couldn’t leave because society would judge her—especially since it was her second one.”
- @Mama Wayne: “Why talk in riddles? We people from Murang’a understand exactly what you mean.”
- @John De Baptist: “Kanyari is innocent here. Don’t blame him without reason.”
- @Njeri: “How long will this narrative be used to attack Tash?”
- @Muthoni: “I’m glad I left. It’s been five months, but they still took my child.”
- @EMB: “We continue to stand with Betty, even in her absence.”
Betty’s 2023 Revelation About Her Marital Status
In June 2023, Betty clarified that she had never been divorced nor married twice—contrary to public belief that she had previously been married to Pastor Kanyari.
She made this revelation during a recording of the gospel reality show Oh Sister, telling her castmates:
“I’m not a divorcee; I was never married twice. I am married now to a wonderful man, but people only associate me with my ex. In life, what you don’t use gets thrown away. Only someone not in their right mind returns to the trash.”
She added that after their traditional wedding, she and her husband were preparing for a white wedding.
Reactions From Fellow Public Figures
Her bold comments prompted apologies from Size 8, Kabi Wajesus, and Shlaver, who admitted they had made assumptions about her past. Betty had previously dated Pastor Kanyari, with whom she shares three children.
Betty’s Reflections on Her Past Relationship
In 2019, the Public Opinion singer admitted she had made a mistake by committing to a relationship without fully understanding her partner, saying:
“My mistake was entering a marriage without really knowing my partner. I didn’t take time to understand his background, character, or personality. We disagreed on nearly everything—every conversation became an argument.”
The 2015 Exposé That Led to Her Separation
Betty eventually parted ways with Kanyari in 2015 after a Jicho Pevu investigation accused him of operating a fraudulent ministry that duped church members.
By Geoffrey mbuthia
