ODPP orders criminal investigations into the death of gospel singer Betty Bayo
By Steve Ireri, December 19, 2025The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has ordered investigations into the death of gospel singer Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, popularly known as Betty Bayo, following concerns raised by her immediate family over the circumstances surrounding her passing.
In a press statement dated Thursday, December 18, 2025, the ODPP confirmed that it received a formal complaint on December 9, 2025, from an advocate acting on behalf of the late singer’s family.
Watch: Gospel industry mourns death of renowned singer Betty Bayo
The complaint detailed several concerns and suspicions surrounding her death, prompting the prosecution office to intervene.
“On 9th December 2025, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) received a formal complaint from an advocate acting on behalf of the immediate family of the late Beatrice Wairimu Mbugua, also known as Betty Bayo,” the statement read in part.
According to the ODPP, the family questioned the circumstances leading to Betty Bayo’s death, noting that she had no known underlying medical conditions prior to her sudden illness.
The complaint further indicated that the family had been denied access to the post-mortem report, a factor that intensified their concerns and led them to seek state intervention.
“The complaint raises concerns and suspicions regarding the circumstances surrounding her death, noting, among other issues, that the deceased had no known underlying health conditions and that the family has allegedly been denied access to the post-mortem report,” the statement added.
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Following an initial assessment of the complaint, and in line with its constitutional mandate under Article 157 of the Constitution, the Director of Public Prosecutions directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to conduct comprehensive investigations into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
The DCI was instructed to carry out thorough inquiries and submit the investigation file to the ODPP for review and appropriate action.
“In view of these concerns, and pursuant to Article 157 of the Constitution, the DPP has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death and to submit the pursuant file for review and appropriate action,” the statement added.
Untimely demise
Her death was confirmed by a family representative speaking on behalf of her husband, Hiram Gitau.
At the time, it was disclosed that the singer had been unwell for several days and was suffering from acute leukaemia accompanied by excessive bleeding.
She had initially been admitted to AAR Hospital along Kiambu Road before being transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital on Friday, November 7, 2025, where her condition deteriorated.
Betty, who became a household name in the Kikuyu music industry with hits like 11th Hour and Busy Busy, was laid to rest on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at her home in Mugumo Estate in a deeply emotional ceremony attended by family members, close friends, clergy, and members of the gospel music fraternity.
The burial was marked by the singing of Kikuyu dirges and a sermon delivered by Bishop Michael Wanderi, who presided over the service alongside other ministers of the gospel.