The custody dispute over the children of late Kikuyu gospel singer Betty Bayo has taken another emotional turn after her teenage daughter, Sky Victor, publicly opposed a court decision affecting where she and her younger brother will live.
Sky, 14, expressed her distress during a Facebook Live session on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. She appealed to Kenyans and authorities to consider the children’s wishes as the family navigates life after their mother’s death.
The reported ruling grants their biological father, Pastor Victor Kanyari, custody of the two children. However, Sky has said she would prefer to remain with her stepfather, Hiram Gitau, popularly known as Tash.
Sky Says She Wants to Remain With Tash
During the emotional livestream, Sky explained that she felt more comfortable staying in the home where she had lived with her late mother and Tash.
She said the decision had left her and her younger brother, Danny, deeply upset. According to reports, the teenager said the children had spent much of the day crying as they struggled to process the development.
Sky also made an emotional appeal, asking the public and government to listen to her concerns. Her remarks have drawn attention to the emotional challenges children can face when family arrangements change following the death of a parent.
Kanyari and Tash at the Centre of the Dispute
Kanyari, who is the children’s biological father, has maintained that he is prepared to take responsibility for them. Tash, meanwhile, has been part of their daily lives since marrying Betty Bayo. Sky has publicly credited him with helping provide stability for the family.
The disagreement over where the children should live has attracted widespread debate online, with supporters of both men expressing differing views about parental responsibility and the children’s welfare.
Betty Bayo died on November 10, 2025, after battling acute myeloid leukaemia. Her death left questions about the long-term care arrangements for her two children.
What Kenyan Law Says About Child Custody
Kenya’s Children Act 2022 addresses parental responsibility following a parent’s death. Section 34 provides that when a mother dies, the surviving father has parental responsibility, subject to the Act’s provisions and any applicable court orders.
However, parental responsibility does not remove the court’s duty to consider the child’s welfare. Article 53(2) of the Constitution states that a child’s best interests are paramount in every matter concerning the child.
Section 103 of the Children Act also directs courts to consider the child’s ascertainable wishes, taking into account their age and evolving capacity.
Sky’s expressed wishes and the siblings’ emotional well-being therefore remain important considerations in discussions about their future.
Children’s Welfare Remains Central
The public reaction has highlighted the difficult balance between a surviving parent’s legal responsibilities and children’s emotional needs.
Although Sky has made her preference clear, the reported ruling and any further legal steps will determine the arrangements that apply.
For now, the family’s situation remains deeply sensitive. The central concern is ensuring that Sky and Danny receive care, stability and support as they continue grieving their mother.
