Akothee tells Kanyari to end custody fight for children’s sake [Photo: Courtesy]
Akothee has urged Pastor Victor Kanyari to reconsider his custody battle over his two children, warning that a court victory could come at the cost of their emotional wellbeing.
In a letter addressing the preacher, Akothee said the children’s feelings should take priority over the legal fight, particularly following the death of their mother, gospel singer Betty Bayo.
Her advice comes days after the Dagoretti Magistrate’s Court awarded Kanyari custody of his children, Sky and Danny, but stopped short of ordering their immediate handover.
Instead, the court directed that the children remain with their stepfather, Hiram Gitau, popularly known as Tash, as children’s officers develop a transition plan that considers their emotional welfare, schooling and contact with both parties.
Reacting to the ruling, Akothee urged Kanyari to listen to the children rather than view the outcome as a straightforward legal victory.
“You may win the legal battle, but you cannot force a child to give you their heart,” she said.
Her comments come amid public remarks attributed to Sky, who has expressed her desire to remain with Tash.
Court records reported by the Daily Nation also indicate that both children told the court in August that they wanted to stay with their stepfather.
Akothee cautioned against dismissing the children’s wishes as rebellion, arguing that forcing them into a situation they were uncomfortable with could deepen their emotional distress.
“My friend, no court victory is worth losing your child emotionally. No title is worth a child’s peace. And no battle is worth the possibility of losing a life,” she said.
The mother of five, who has previously spoken publicly about her own co-parenting experiences, encouraged Kanyari to consider stepping back from the dispute and allowing the children time and space to adjust.
This is not the first time Akothee has weighed in on the family dispute.
In June, she urged the preacher to pursue dialogue and avoid putting the children in a position where they felt compelled to choose between parental figures.
She argued that children dealing with family separation and loss need support and healing rather than prolonged conflict between adults.
The latest ruling, delivered on October 26, requires the children’s views to be considered during the transition process, although their wishes are not the sole determining factor in the custody decision.
Kanyari has also been granted structured access to the children, including phone or video calls and in-person visits on alternate weekends.