The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has instructed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the death of gospel singer Betty Bayo following concerns raised by her family.
The directive comes after Betty’s relatives, led by her mother Joyce Wairimu Mbugua, formally petitioned the DPP seeking an inquest into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The family maintains that Betty had no known underlying medical condition before she passed away and believes her death may not have been natural.
In their petition, the family questioned events leading up to the singer’s passing, alleging they were denied access to crucial medical records, including the post-mortem report and details of treatment she may have received.
They further claimed the burial was rushed, a move they say heightened their suspicions and prompted calls for an independent investigation.
ODPP Responds to Family Petition
In a statement issued on Thursday, December 18, the ODPP confirmed it received the complaint on Tuesday, December 9. The office acknowledged that the concerns raised warranted further scrutiny.
“The complaint raises concerns and suspicions regarding the circumstances surrounding the deceased’s death, including allegations that she had no known underlying health condition and that the family was denied access to the post-mortem report,” the statement read.
The DPP subsequently directed the DCI to conduct comprehensive investigations into the matter and submit a report for review and appropriate action.
The ODPP reaffirmed its commitment to executing its mandate independently, fairly and in strict adherence to the Constitution and Kenyan law.
Kenyans React Online
The development sparked intense debate online, with Kenyans sharing mixed reactions. Some called for fairness and calm, while others urged the family to allow the late singer to rest.
One social media user wrote, “The family and the first husband should be fair to that gentleman,” while another commented, “This will traumatise the children. There is no need for this. Let her rest.”
Background on Betty Bayo’s Death
Betty Bayo, known for her uplifting Kikuyu gospel songs and growing social media influence, passed away on November 10 while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital. Her family initially stated that she had been battling leukaemia, a form of blood cancer.
She was later laid to rest at her family home in Mugumo Estate, Kiambu County, during an emotional funeral service attended by family, friends and fellow gospel artistes.
Betty’s Mother Speaks Out
In a recent TikTok Live session hosted alongside US-based content creator Shiru wa Oakland, Joyce Wairimu shared details of her final conversation with her daughter, saying she remains deeply unsettled by the circumstances surrounding Betty’s death.
“My child cried to me,” Wairimu said. “She asked me, ‘Why and who did I leave her with?’ That question has never left my mind.”
She insisted the family deserves clarity and transparency, calling for a post-mortem and access to all documents related to her daughter’s hospitalisation.
“I need the truth about what happened to my child. I need the post-mortem done, and I need all her documents returned,” she said.
“Why is my ID still being held? Why does someone else have the burial permit? Even the name on it needs to be corrected.”
Wairimu also expressed frustration over how matters were handled in the days leading up to the burial, claiming some meetings were avoided and key concerns ignored.
BY Geoffrey mbuthia
