Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has offered financial and moral support to the family of the late gospel musician Betty Bayo, marking one of his most public condolence gestures in recent months.
The former head of state, through his office, sent a message of sympathy and a donation of Ksh1 million to assist with funeral plans.
The visit to the family home was led by Kanze Dena-Mararo, the spokesperson in the Office of the Fourth President.
According to the statement shared on the office’s official X account, Ms. Dena met Bayo’s widower Hiram Gitau, her children Sky and Danny, and relatives who had gathered to prepare for the upcoming burial events.
She assured the family that the former president was keeping them in his prayers.
Mr. Kenyatta described the late artist as “an extraordinary minister of the gospel,” a remark quoted directly from the official statement.
He credited her with uplifting many Kenyans through her music and noted that her work had played an important role in shaping contemporary gospel sounds in the country.
Betty Bayo rose to prominence during a period when Kenya’s gospel industry saw increased commercial attention and airplay across radio and television stations.
Her songs, often centred on messages of resilience and spiritual encouragement, earned her a loyal fan base within church communities and beyond.
Her death has prompted widespread messages of sympathy from both the entertainment sector and the public.
In the message shared by the Office of the Fourth President, Uhuru Kenyatta said that Bayo’s influence would “endure through her children, her music, and the many lives she touched.”
He expressed hope that the family would find strength as they manage funeral preparations and come to terms with their loss.
The former president’s involvement adds to a long tradition in Kenyan politics where national leaders publicly stand with bereaved families of prominent cultural figures.
Such gestures often highlight the connection between political offices and the country’s artistic community, especially when artists leave lasting cultural footprints.