Who Was Betty Bayo, Kenya’s Popular Gospel Singer

Kenya’s gospel community is mourning the loss of one of its beloved voices, Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, popularly known as Betty Bayo, who passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.

According to family sources, the 40-year-old gospel minister succumbed to acute leukemia, a form of blood cancer, after a period of treatment. She had reportedly been hospitalized for several days before her passing.

Church leaders, gospel artists, and fans across the country have shared heartfelt tributes in her honor. Bishop Muthee Kiengei described her as “a soul that maximized its full potential in serving God and uplifting others through music.”

President William Ruto also paid tribute, saying her voice “carried hope into the hearts of many and inspired countless believers through her songs.”

As messages of condolence continue to pour in, her colleagues and followers remember her for her humility, deep spirituality, and a ministry that went beyond music to touch lives and strengthen faith.

Early Life

Betty Bayo was born Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua in Banana, Kiambu County, Kenya, as the last-born in a family of eight. She spent part of her childhood in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, before her family later returned to Kiambu.

Raised in a humble Christian home, Betty’s journey was marked by perseverance and faith. She once shared in interviews that she dropped out of school in Form Two due to financial challenges and worked as a house help for two years before resuming her education. These early experiences shaped her strong work ethic and faith-centered outlook, which would later become the foundation of her gospel music ministry.

Career

Betty Bayo’s musical journey began in the early 2010s, when she joined Kenya’s vibrant gospel music scene. She rose to prominence with her hit song “Eleventh Hour”, a powerful track about divine intervention that resonated widely with worshippers across the country.

Her music, sung mainly in Agikuyu and Swahili, carried messages of hope, faith, and perseverance, often reflecting the everyday struggles of believers. Other notable songs in her catalogue include “Jemedari,” “Thiiri,” “Udahi,” “Maneno,” “Agocwo,” and “Ndîkerîria.”

Through her soulful voice and relatable lyrics, Betty built a loyal audience and became one of the most respected gospel artists of her generation. Her performances, both in churches and concerts, inspired many to draw closer to God and find strength in worship.

Achievements

Over more than a decade in ministry, Betty Bayo became a household name in Kenya’s gospel industry. Her song “Eleventh Hour” remains one of the most played gospel hits across radio stations and church gatherings.

She received several recognitions for her contribution to gospel music and was often celebrated for using her platform to uplift young, upcoming artists. Her authenticity and unwavering faith earned her admiration within the Christian community, and she was widely respected for maintaining her commitment to spreading the gospel through music.

Family

Betty Bayo was a devoted mother and cherished family woman. She leaves behind two children, who were the center of her life. Family members describe her as a caring, prayerful, and compassionate woman whose faith remained steadfast even during her illness.

Her passing has deeply affected her family, friends, and the broader gospel fraternity, all of whom remember her as a woman who lived her faith daily and shared God’s love through song.

Betty Bayo’s journey on earth may have ended, but her songs, faith, and testimony continue to speak to generations. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she inspired through her music and her unshakable belief in God’s goodness, even in the face of life’s greatest trials.