After several months of bruising court battle, controversial preacher Victor Kanyari emerged victorious beatings Tash, Betty’s Bayo’s handsome man.
Tash had been living with Betty and Kanyari two children but when she passed on, the preacher moved to court seeking the custody of the children.
And after several hearings and testimonies, the court granted the custody to the biological Father, Pastor Kanyari stating that parental responsibility cannot be replaced simply because the children prefers to live with the step father.
In a court decision given on October 26, 2026, Resident Magistrate Hon. A.O. Casmir explained that as the kids’ real biological father, Pastor
Kanyari has the legal right to raise them.
However, because the children are very attached to their stepfather after losing their mother, the judge ordered a slow, step-by-step transition plan before they move in with him full-time.
Kanyari had filed a court case seeking full custody stating that he had been restrained by Tash from seeing and reaching out to his children aged 13 and 10 years old.
Their mother, Beatrice Mbugua Wairimu, famously known as Betty Bayo sadly passed away on November 10, 2025.
After her death, the children stayed with their stepfather, Tash, who had been living with their mother and them since 2020.
Pastor Kanyari went to court asking for full custody, the children’s birth certificates and passports, and a court order to keep Tash away from them.
Tash fought back in court. He asked to keep living with the children, requested that Kanyari pay him back for past school fees and living costs, and wanted Kanyari stopped from talking about the children in public.
During the trial, the judge heard from both men, the children, and a children’s officer.
Pastor Kanyari told the court that he has always provided school fees, food, clothes, and healthcare for his kids ever since he separated from their mother in 2012. He promised to give them a good home and cover all their school expenses.
He admitted he temporarily paused paying school fees in September 2025 while waiting for the court to decide who gets custody, and he denied allegations that he drinks too much or treats the kids poorly.
On the other side, The step- father informed the court that he has been a daily father figure to the children since 2020.
He admitted he moved the kids to a new school without Kanyari’s permission or a court order, but said he did it because of unpaid fees and privacy concerns.
Both kids said they felt safer and happier staying with Tash. The 10-year-old boy said Tash takes good care of him, while claiming his birth father drinks and has noisy friends over.
The 13-year-old girl said Tash supports her creative hobbies and asked for her biological father to return her personal belongings (like her phone, clothes, and shoes) and stop talking about her in public.
The Children’s Officer recommended that the kids shouldn’t be rushed away from Tash abruptly, suggesting a gradual plan to help them get used to living with Kanyari.
The judge, having considered all the arguments and preferences, ruled that a child’s best interests must always come first.
“Kanyari is the biological father, so legally, the rights belong to him. Tash was a great caregiver, but he never officially adopted the children. While the children prefer staying with with the step father, the judge noted , ” a child’s preference is important, but it cannot be the only reason for a final decision.”
The judge found that neither man was a bad parent, and claims of heavy drinking or bad behavior weren’t proven in court.
Justice Casmir pointed out that both men made mistakes. Kanyari shouldn’t have temporarily held back school fees, and Tash shouldn’t have changed the kids’ school without permission.
To keep the children emotionally stable after losing their mother, the judge decided not to force a sudden move. Instead, the court ordered a gradual transition plan.
“Pastor Kanyari is officially granted sole legal and physical custody. The kids will stay where they are for now while a Children’s Officer drafts a 14-day transition plan. This plan will map out how the children will comfortably shift into living with Kanyari.” The court directed.
