Pastor Victor Kanyari has appealed to Kenyans for privacy, empathy, and restraint as his family mourns the death of gospel singer Betty Bayo, the mother of his two children.
In a deeply emotional statement shared online, the controversial preacher said the days following Bayo’s passing have been filled with grief, confusion, and an overwhelming storm of social media commentary, much of it speculative and insensitive.
Bayo, a well-known figure in Kenya’s gospel music scene, had previously been married to Kanyari before the two publicly parted ways.
Despite their separation, the two continued to co-parent their children, Sky and Danny.
Her death, which caught many by surprise, has since triggered widespread discussion online, some of it laced with rumours and unverified claims that Kanyari says have added unnecessary weight to an already heavy season.
“I Am a Father Before I Am Anything Else”
In his lengthy statement, Kanyari expressed frustration over the wave of headlines, assumptions, and social media narratives that emerged immediately after the news broke.
He said he chose to speak not to defend himself but to protect the emotional wellbeing of his children and bring clarity to the public conversation.
“In these past days, I have watched the internet speak, judge, assume, and rewrite stories about my life, my pain, and the loss of the mother of my children,” he wrote.
“Sky and Danny have lost their mother. No rumour, no trending topic, and no online narrative will ever matter more than their healing.”
Kanyari added that his priority at this moment is guiding his children through a loss they neither expected nor deserved.
He stressed that while online debates rise and fall, children carry grief in silence, and it is this quiet pain he hopes the public will respect.
Life in the spotlight: A Double-Edged Sword
The preacher also reflected on the challenges of living in the public eye, noting that public figures often struggle to grieve privately.
“People will always talk, that is the nature of the world,” he stated.
“When you are silent, they speak. When you speak, they twist your words. When you love, they question your motives. When you grieve, they still throw stones.”
For years, Kanyari has been a polarising figure in Kenya’s religious landscape, a factor he hinted has contributed to the intensity of public commentary.
However, he expressed forgiveness toward those who used the tragedy to mock or speculate, saying only God ultimately understands each person’s journey.
A Call For Responsibility And Compassion
The pastor also addressed the media directly, urging journalists to handle the matter with humanity and avoid sensationalism that may further hurt the children or distort the truth.
“The mother of my children deserves peace. My children deserve respect. And I deserve space to mourn in dignity,” he emphasised.
Kanyari extended his gratitude to friends, church members, and Kenyans who prayed for him and offered support amid the noise.
He said the messages of goodwill have helped him stay grounded at a time when public judgment threatened to overshadow genuine grief.
A Focus On Healing and Faith
In his closing remarks, Kanyari reaffirmed his commitment to raising his children with love, stability, and faith.
He said he intends to withdraw from online disputes and instead concentrate on what truly matters.
“I will continue to focus on my children, my faith, and the calling God placed on my life. Everything else is just noise,” he wrote.
He ended his message with a heartfelt prayer for Bayo and for all those silently hurting:
“May her soul rest in peace, and may God heal every heart that is hurting in silence.”
As the family continues to mourn, they have requested that the public, including online users and the media, allow them the space and respect needed to process their grief away from the spotlight.
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