Celebrated gospel singer Betty Bayo passed away recently. She died on November 10, 2025, after a silent battle with leukaemia. The family has confirmed the final details of her send-off.

The "11th Hour" hitmaker will be laid to rest on Thursday, November 20. Her burial site is confirmed to be at Mugumo Estate along Kiambu Road. This is land that she owned.

The decision regarding her resting place has drawn attention to African traditional burial customs.

The Traditional Conflict

Bayo was married to her fiancé, Hiram Gitau, affectionately known as Tash. They tied the knot in a colourful traditional wedding in December 2021. Before this, she had separated from her ex-partner, Pastor Victor Kanyari.

Customarily, a married woman is expected to be buried in her husband's family's land. This tradition is based on the premise that the payment of bride price signifies her inclusion into his extended family.

In patrilineal societies, ancestry is traced through male relatives. Land ownership and inheritance are typically passed through male heirs.

A woman’s access to land is often defined by her relationship to a man, such as her father or husband.

A woman’s burial alongside her husband's ancestors ensures her spirit joins the correct lineage. This maintains familial unity even after death.

Overriding Tradition

Before the official announcement, there was intense public speculation regarding Bayo’s final resting place. Some had suggested her burial might occur at her ex-husband, Pastor Victor Kanyari’s home.

Others thought it might be at Tash’s residence or jointly purchased land in Murang’a County. Family spokesperson Elder David Kigomo confirmed the final resting place.

“The family has decided to bury Bayo on Thursday, November 20, next week. She will be buried at Mugumo Estate along Kiambu Road, where she had bought a parcel of land.”

The family has since dismissed earlier rumours. Bayo’s burial on her own property reflects modern shifts in law and society.

Many African nations have legal provisions that grant women the right to own and inherit property. These laws can supersede customary practices formally.

Read Also: Shiro Wa GP Reveals Betty Bayo's Burial Date

Courts in countries like Kenya have indicated that the deceased person's wishes about burial can be a primary factor.
This can override traditional rules, especially if the relationship with the husband's family was strained.

Evolving societal views increasingly support a woman’s right to choose her final resting place. This is particularly true if she clearly expressed these wishes and owned the land.

Funeral Preparations Underway

Bayo’s death occurred at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Her body was later transferred to the Kenyatta University Funeral Home.

The burial preparations are ongoing. The estimated budget for the funeral stands at KSh 5 million.

Bayo’s burial on her own land highlights the legal clash. It shows the conflict between traditional expectations and individual rights in contemporary African society.