Hiram Gitau, popularly known as Tash, is facing fresh scrutiny online after a viral video exposed court documents from his bitter custody dispute with Pastor Victor Kanyari over the children he co-parented with the late gospel singer Betty Bayo.
The court proceedings, delivered on October 26 by Dagoretti Magistrate A.O. Casmir, laid bare the details of Tash’s claim that he was owed KSh 1 million from Kanyari as compensation for raising Sky Victor and Danvictor (Danny), the two children Betty Bayo had with Kanyari before she married Tash.
What did the court find?
The magistrate’s verdict was blunt. In Swahili, the judge stated:
“Alie shitakiwa, anataka alipwe milioni moja hakuweza kutoa stakabadi zinazo onyesha kwamba alitumia iyo milioni moja na pia si koti ya madai bali ni koti ya watoto.”
In plain terms, Tash could not produce a single receipt or financial record to support the KSh 1 million figure he was claiming.
The court also reminded him that proceedings were taking place in a Children’s Court, not a forum for adult financial grievances.
The school fees row
The dispute had already been simmering over unpaid fees at Woodcreek School, an institution Kanyari alleged charges up to KSh 500,000 per month and KSh 1 million per term. Kanyari had claimed the children were sent home over arrears, while Tash presented admission letters as his evidence of payment.
Kanyari, by contrast, submitted bank transaction records, M-Pesa statements and receipts showing he had covered hospital bills and funded trips to Dubai and the United Kingdom for the children.
Gatundu North MP Elijah Kururia later shared alleged bank receipts on Facebook indicating Tash had paid KSh 110,000 and KSh 400,000 on June 16 and 17 to clear outstanding arrears, though Newsunplug.co.ke could not independently verify those documents at the time.
Court’s final decision
The magistrate ruled that Kanyari, as the biological father and owner of three homes in Nairobi, was better placed to take full custody of the children.
However, the court ordered that both men must continue contributing to school fees and meeting the children’s reasonable needs, with neither permitted to make support conditional on custody arrangements. Kiambu Children’s officers were tasked with preparing a transition plan.
Kenyans react
After the court documents surfaced on TikTok, commenters were unsparing in their verdict on Tash:
Here is what they had to say:
mercyline
“You did it willingly for the love of your wife and the kids haikuwa urudishe.” 🎊
favored one:
“But si walisema aliitishwa receipt akatoa admission letter?” 💥💫
ⓦⓘⓝⓝⓔ:
“Court iko hivyo if you want back your kids then you should compasate with money that’s how court rules.”
Miss lady
“Toa receipts..ama bank statement. That’s the only thing.”
