Fresh details have emerged from the highly publicised custody dispute between controversial preacher Pastor Victor Kanyari and Hiram Gitau, popularly known as Tash, after court proceedings revealed that Tash had sought Sh 1 million from the preacher as compensation for caring for his children.
The revelation has added another layer to the family dispute involving the late gospel singer Betty Bayo’s children, Sky and Danny, which has attracted widespread public attention following the disagreements over their upbringing, education and future.
According to details from the proceedings reported by various media outlets on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Tash wanted Kanyari to reimburse him Sh 1 million for expenses he allegedly incurred while taking care of the children.
However, the court rejected the claim, noting that Tash had not presented receipts or other financial documents to demonstrate that he had spent the amount he was demanding.
The judge also explained that the Children’s Court was primarily concerned with the welfare and best interests of the minors rather than settling financial compensation disputes between adults.
The development has brought renewed attention to the differences between the two men, who both played significant roles in the lives of Betty Bayo’s children.
Why Tash’s Sh 1 Million Claim Was Rejected
One of the key issues addressed during the proceedings was Tash’s request to be compensated for the period he had cared for Sky and Danny.
The court reportedly found that he had not provided documentary evidence, including receipts, to support the Sh 1 million claim.
In the judge’s explanation, the absence of supporting financial records weakened the request.
The court further emphasised that proceedings involving children should focus on their welfare rather than becoming a platform for adults to pursue financial claims against each other.
The decision highlighted the importance of presenting verifiable evidence when making financial claims in court.
It also underscored the distinction between acknowledging the responsibilities someone has undertaken while caring for children and establishing a legal basis for reimbursement.
The ruling did not, by itself, mean that the care Tash had provided was worthless.
Rather, the court’s reported reasoning centred on the evidence presented and the mandate of the Children’s Court.
School Fees and Financial Responsibility at the Centre of the Dispute
Education expenses have been among the most contentious issues in the dispute between Kanyari and Tash.
Earlier reports documented disagreements over school fees and the financial responsibilities each adult had undertaken while raising the children.
In June 2026, various media entities reported that messages and financial records had emerged showing Kanyari making payments towards his children’s education and upkeep before Betty Bayo’s death.
Those reports added complexity to the public debate, with different accounts emerging about who had paid particular expenses and how the children’s needs had been met.
The latest proceedings reportedly revisited the question of school fees, including arrears associated with Woodcreek School.
The competing claims made the documentation of payments an important consideration in determining the parties’ respective arguments.
The dispute illustrates how financial records can become central in family proceedings, particularly when questions arise about school fees, daily upkeep and other expenses associated with raising children.
How Betty Bayo’s Death Sparked the Custody Dispute
The disagreement follows the death of Betty Bayo, the gospel singer who was previously married to Kanyari and later built a family with Tash.
After her death, questions surrounding the care of Sky and Danny became a major point of contention between their biological father and their stepfather.
Kanyari sought greater involvement in the children’s lives, while Tash’s relationship with them became part of the wider debate over where they should live and who was best placed to oversee their daily needs.
The disagreement subsequently moved into the legal system, with issues including education, financial support, living arrangements and parental involvement featuring in the proceedings.
The case attracted considerable interest because it involved two men who had different relationships with the children but both had been part of their family lives.
For many observers, the dispute also raised difficult questions about the position of a stepparent who has helped raise children and the responsibilities of a biological parent following a family separation or bereavement.
Earlier Disagreements Over School Fees
The custody dispute had already generated headlines in previous months, with Kanyari and Tash appearing to disagree over financial support and access to the children.
In June 2026, reports emerged detailing claims that Kanyari had previously contributed towards school fees and other expenses.
The reports included references to financial transactions and communications relating to the children’s needs.
In subsequent months, the disagreements continued to attract attention, with school fees becoming a recurring subject in discussions about the children’s welfare.
The latest court revelations have therefore revived a debate that goes beyond the Sh 1 million request, touching on the evidence available to establish financial contributions and the responsibilities of the adults involved.
However, individual claims about who paid specific expenses should be assessed against the documentary evidence presented rather than social media commentary alone.
Children’s Welfare Remains the Central Issue
Despite the public attention surrounding the financial disagreement, the most important issue in the case remains the welfare of Sky and Danny.
Children caught in disputes between adults can face emotional and practical difficulties, particularly when disagreements over living arrangements, education and parental involvement become public.
The court’s reported emphasis on the mandate of the Children’s Court reflects the principle that decisions involving minors should prioritise their best interests.
That means considering factors such as stability, education, emotional well-being, the ability to provide care and the children’s relationships with the people responsible for them.
The case also demonstrates why family disputes require careful handling, with legal proceedings and reliable evidence taking precedence over online speculation.
As further details emerge from the proceedings, the dispute involving Kanyari and Tash is likely to remain a subject of public interest.
For now, the reported rejection of the Sh 1 million compensation claim has become one of the latest developments in the prolonged disagreement over Betty Bayo’s children.
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