By Obinna Tv Studios News Desk
October 15, 2025
In a heartbreaking loss to the Kenyan media landscape, Kimani Mbugua, a former prominent journalist with NTV and Citizen TV, has passed away at the age of 29. Mbugua’s death was reported on October 14, 2025, after a prolonged battle with mental health challenges, including bipolar disorder and addiction. The exact cause of death remains unconfirmed as investigations continue, but his passing has left colleagues, family, and fans in profound shock and mourning.
Mbugua, known for his sharp intellect, charismatic on-screen presence, and engaging storytelling, rose quickly through the ranks of Kenyan broadcasting. He began his career as a youthful voice on Nation FM before making a name for himself as a reporter and presenter at Citizen TV and NTV. His segments often delved into social issues with a fresh, relatable perspective that resonated with younger audiences. “Kimani had this rare ability to make complex stories feel personal,” a former colleague at NTV recalled in a tribute shared on social media. “He was the spark in the newsroom.”
However, behind the polished exterior, Mbugua grappled with demons that would eventually overshadow his promising career. In 2023, he bravely went public with his struggles, posting a raw Instagram video pleading for support amid episodes of mania and depression. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Mbugua’s condition spiraled into substance abuse, leading to multiple stints in rehabilitation centers. His sister, Wanjiku Mbugua, shared poignant insights in a 2024 NTV interview, describing how her brother—once a devout Seventh-day Adventist youth raised in a close-knit family—transformed under the weight of his illness. “He was our only brother, so prayerful and full of life,” she said. “Watching him slip away was devastating, but his faith never fully left him.”
The journalist’s downward trajectory became a public spectacle in recent years. After quitting his job amid escalating addiction to hard drugs and alcohol, Mbugua’s personal life unraveled; his wife reportedly left with their children, and he was found living on the streets of Thika as recently as March 2025. Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, known for his interventions in high-profile recovery cases, stepped in multiple times. In 2024, Sonko funded Mbugua’s first rehab stay in Mombasa, and earlier this year, he personally tracked him down for a second round of treatment. “Kimani’s story is a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough—we need systems to catch our stars when they fall,” Sonko posted on X following the relapse reports.
Despite these efforts, Mbugua’s relapses persisted, culminating in his untimely death at home on Monday night. News of his passing spread rapidly across social media, igniting an outpouring of grief and reflection. Tributes flooded in from peers like comedian Oga Obina, who shared memories of lighter times, including a video of Mbugua performing a song on World Mental Health Day. “He inspired so many by speaking openly about mental health—may he finally rest in peace,” one user wrote on X. Another lamented, “Kimani Mbugua’s life reminds us how deeply mental illness affects even the most talented among us.”
Mbugua’s openness about his journey had a ripple effect, sparking national conversations on mental health stigma in Kenya. Advocacy groups hailed him as a pioneer for destigmatizing bipolar disorder and addiction in the media industry. As one health reporter noted, echoing Eunice Omollo’s own recovery story—another journalist Sonko aided—stories like Mbugua’s underscore the urgent need for accessible mental health resources. “He turned his pain into purpose,” she said. “That’s his legacy.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but the family has requested privacy during this difficult time. As Kenya mourns, Mbugua’s light—dimmed too soon—serves as a clarion call for compassion, intervention, and reform in how society supports those fighting invisible battles. Rest in power, Kimani. Your voice will echo on.
