They further argue that the lack of official medical records has made it difficult to understand what transpired and whether all procedures were properly followed.
The mother of Kenyan gospel singer Beatrice Mbugua, popularly known as Betty Bayo, has formally petitioned the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to open an inquest into the circumstances surrounding her daughter's death.
In a letter dated December 9, 2025, and submitted through her lawyer, Joyce Wairimu asked the DPP to intervene, saying the family has been left with unanswered questions and growing concern over how the young artiste died.
The petition marks the family's first formal legal step as they push for a fuller examination into the days leading up to Bayo's death and the actions taken thereafter.
According to the petition, the family claims that Bayo had no known illness at the time of her death and that her passing appeared sudden and unexplained.
"The family has had to go through unbearable pain in accepting the fact that the deceased, who had never had any illness, would just die mysteriously," the document reads.
Wairimu maintains that the absence of a medical history pointing to underlying conditions has deepened their suspicion that more should have been done to establish the cause of death.
The family further claims that they were not provided with an autopsy report or medical documents relating to the illness for which Bayo was allegedly treated shortly before her death.
They argue that the lack of official medical records has made it difficult to understand what transpired and whether all procedures were properly followed.
Additionally, the petition notes that the family was dissatisfied with what they describe as the unusually expedited pace of burial arrangements.
Wairimu's document indicates that the speed with which planning proceeded, coupled with the absence of post-mortem findings, contributed to their belief that crucial details may have been overlooked or withheld.
In light of these concerns, Wairimu is asking the DPP to write to the Inspector General of Police directing that the matter be fast-tracked and that an open inquest be instituted.
The gospel artist, best known for her hit song "11th Hour", is said to have passed away while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.
The news of her was confirmed by her ex-partner, Pastor Victor Kanyari.
She is said to have breathed her last at around 1 pm on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Initial reports had indicated she succumbed to leukaemia.
Betty Bayo rose to prominence through her uplifting hit song "Eleventh Hour", a track that resonated widely due to its powerful message of hope and divine intervention