Laughter broke through the emotional weight of gospel singer Betty Bayo’s burial after Prophet Kanyari paused his tribute and joked about his struggle with English, shifting the entire atmosphere at her Mugumo home in Kirigiti on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The crowd reacted instantly when he opened with, “Sijui kusoma kizungu sana lakini nang’ang’ana,” followed by a quick “Amen,” setting off a ripple of laughter across the mourners.
He attempted to read his prepared message but kept stopping midway, which only made the crowd laugh harder. At one point, his honest admission, “Hehh, kusoma hii kitu,” sent the audience into another round of laughter before he quietly added, “Mungu anisaidie.” What had been a heavy, emotional moment turned into a warm shared experience, with Kanyari’s authenticity bringing comfort to the people gathered to remember the mother of his children.
What Memories Did Kanyari Share in His Tribute?
Once the room settled, he shifted into memories of how their relationship began 13 years ago. Kanyari recalled meeting a young woman who carried a smile that could soften even the most demanding day. Their connection was immediate, and within weeks, they were spending every free moment together. He described how they visited each other often, shared their dreams, and laughed about the challenges they were facing at the time.
“13 years ago, fate allowed our paths to cross. I met this ever-smiling, tiny young girl whose gentleness would come even on the busiest of days.”
“We connected instantly, and within weeks, we couldn’t imagine life apart from each other. We would meet and visit each other and share stories about our dreams and laugh about our struggles,” Kanyari said.
He went on to mention the small house she lived in when they first met, explaining that even then, he already felt she was the woman he wanted to marry. Since he had been searching for a wife, it did not take long before they were living together as husband and wife.
Even though he struggled to read through the tribute fully, Kanyari made it clear that he wanted to honour the years they shared and the life they built before parting ways. His mix of humour, honesty, and heartfelt memories painted a picture of a relationship rooted in genuine affection and youthful hope.
By the time he finished, the crowd had been taken through a full range of emotions, from grief to laughter to reflection. His tribute offered a human, memorable moment during a difficult farewell, leaving many with a softened heart as they mourned Betty Bayo’s passing.
By Modester Nasimiyu
