Betty Bayo: Curtains fall as revered ‘11th Hour’ hitmaker is finally laid to rest
By Steve Ireri, November 20, 2025An emotional singing of Kikuyu dirges and a moving sermon from the Book of Revelation by Bishop Michael Wanderi marked the final farewell of gospel singer Betty Bayo, who was laid to rest on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at her home in Mugumo Estate.
Betty’s green casket was lowered into a grave plastered with white tiles in front of her family members and close friends, as the air grew thick with grief when the presiding preacher, CFF’s Bishop Wanderi, instructed the family to take turns throwing soil inside.
In a Facebook livestream by Kameme TV, family members, including Betty’s widower Tash, were seen leaning on each other’s shoulders, while others, such as Betty’s daughter Sky, kept wiping away tears.
Bishop Wanderi, alongside other ministers of the gospel, including Kamutini’s Bishop Mwangi Zakayo, stood at the very front of the grave, and Wanderi delivered an emotional sermon from the Book of Revelation, further intensifying the grief.
Wanderi, who guided the family and attendees through all the rites before flowers were placed on the grave, preached briefly, saying he was confident that Betty’s spirit could hear what was being said that day.
He insisted that those who die after serving the Lord always find peaceful rest in eternity, and expressed certainty that God would reward her for her unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel.
“Revelation chapter 14, verse 13 says, ‘And I heard a voice from heaven saying, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. From henceforth, yeah, since the spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them,’” he preached.
Wanderi then instructed all bishops and reverends present to also heap soil into the grave, and he read another scripture emphasising that humans are made from soil and that dust shall ultimately return to dust.
The burial proceeded with Bishop Wanderi ordering that the grave be filled with soil up to a certain level so it could be cemented before the remaining soil was heaped on top.
What followed was the laying of flowers, with family members, including Betty’s ex-partner, Pastor Kanyari, leading in placing them together with the children and her widower, Tash.
At the same time, a designated group of women from the CFF Church continued singing in Kikuyu until all proceedings were complete.
The emotional burial concluded with prayers, and attendees dispersed to their homes at approximately 6:00 pm.