What began as a private family matter has evolved into one of Kenya’s most closely watched custody disputes, drawing public attention, emotional appeals, courtroom proceedings and heated exchanges across social media.
At the centre of the case are Pastor Victor Kanyari, the biological father of two children he shared with late gospel singer Betty Bayo, and Hiram Gitau, popularly known as Tash, who became the children’s stepfather after marrying Betty.
The dispute intensified following Betty Bayo’s death in November 2025, with both sides making public statements about the children’s welfare while the matter increasingly shifted into the courts.
How the story began
To understand the current custody battle, it is necessary to revisit one of Kenya’s biggest church scandals.
Pastor Kanyari and Betty Bayo were once among the country’s best-known gospel couples. However, their marriage broke down following the 2014 “KSh310” investigative exposé, which accused Kanyari of orchestrating fake miracles and asking followers to send a KSh310 seed offering.
The scandal generated widespread public criticism and placed enormous pressure on the marriage. Betty later publicly stated that she had not been aware of the activities highlighted in the investigation and chose to separate from the preacher.
After the divorce, the couple’s two children—daughter Sky Victor and son Danvictor (Danny)—primarily lived with their mother.
The role Tash played
Several years later, Betty Bayo married businessman Hiram Gitau, better known as Tash.
During their marriage, Tash assumed the day-to-day parental role for Betty’s children. Publicly shared family photos and videos often showed the children living together with him, attending school, travelling and celebrating family milestones.
Over time, many Kenyans came to view Tash as the children’s active father figure, while Pastor Kanyari maintained that he remained their biological parent despite not living with them.
That distinction now lies at the heart of the legal dispute.
Betty Bayo’s death changed everything
The family dynamic changed dramatically after Betty Bayo died following an illness in November 2025.
Initially, Pastor Kanyari publicly indicated that he was willing to allow the children to remain with Tash as the family mourned.
However, the situation later deteriorated after disagreements emerged regarding the children’s future, leading to increasingly public exchanges involving relatives, family friends and online personalities.
Betty’s mother also made public comments expressing concern about her grandchildren’s welfare, adding another layer to an already emotional family dispute. Some allegations made publicly have not been tested in court, while Tash has not publicly responded to every claim directed at him.
How the custody battle reached court
Pastor Kanyari says he later attempted to resolve the matter privately before eventually filing court applications.
According to the preacher, he sought to regain physical custody of his children through dialogue before the matter escalated into legal proceedings. He has publicly claimed that Tash eventually told him the dispute would have to be settled in court.
Kanyari has since alleged that he was denied access to his children and has accused Tash of failing to prioritise their welfare after Betty’s death. Tash has not publicly addressed all of those allegations.
The preacher has also claimed in church services that he has obtained favourable court rulings and is seeking enforcement orders to secure custody of the children. Some reports indicate that aspects of the custody arrangements remain contested.
Why the case has attracted national attention
Beyond the legal issues, the dispute has played out almost entirely in public.
Church sermons, TikTok livestreams, Facebook posts and YouTube videos have all become platforms where different parties and supporters have shared their versions of events.
Public figures have also weighed in, with some urging mediation instead of continued public confrontation. Others have expressed concern that the children, who are active on social media, could be negatively affected by the highly public nature of the dispute.
What Kenyan law considers in custody disputes
Although biological parents generally enjoy parental rights, Kenyan courts determine custody cases based on the best interests of the child rather than public opinion.
Family courts typically consider several factors, including the emotional bond between the child and caregivers, the stability of the child’s living environment, schooling, welfare and the child’s overall well-being.
Where a step-parent has played a significant parental role over several years, that relationship may also be considered alongside the rights of the biological parent.
Ultimately, custody decisions are made on the evidence presented before the court rather than claims made on social media.
What happens next?
As the legal proceedings continue, the custody battle remains unresolved in the public eye.
Pastor Kanyari maintains that he is seeking to raise his biological children, while Tash has continued caring for them following Betty Bayo’s death, according to previous public reports. The courts will ultimately determine the long-term custody arrangements based on Kenyan law and the children’s best interests.
For now, what started as a private family tragedy has evolved into a nationally followed legal dispute—one that continues to spark debate about parental rights, blended families and, most importantly, the welfare of two children whose lives have been thrust into the public spotlight.
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