Nairobi, October 2025
Kenya’s media fraternity is mourning the death of Kimani Mbugua, the once-promising television journalist whose voice, charm, and candour had made him a household name before his tragic fall from the limelight.
Mbugua, 29, died by suicide on the night of October 14 at a rehabilitation centre in Mombasa, where he had been receiving treatment for mental health challenges. His father, Dedan Kimathi, said the family has accepted the loss with heavy hearts but also with peace, acknowledging the pain their son had long endured.
“He said, ‘I know I have taken myself; I have been a burden to myself, and I don't want to be a burden any further,’” Kimathi recalled, his voice breaking as he recounted his son’s final words.
“He mentioned that ‘I have chosen to rest in the hands of God.’”
Those haunting words, Kimathi said, reflected the exhaustion of a young man who had battled inner storms for years.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Before his struggles, Mbugua had been one of the most promising faces on Kenyan television. He began his career at the Nation Media Group before joining Citizen TV, where his lively storytelling and youthful energy won viewers across the country.
He was known for his sharp mind and engaging personality — a young journalist with a bright future in broadcast journalism. But behind the success lay a private battle that would later consume his life.
In 2020, Mbugua publicly revealed his diagnosis with bipolar disorder, opening up conversations about mental health in Kenya’s media industry — a subject long clouded by stigma. His honesty earned him public empathy, as well as the support of high-profile figures such as former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and comedian Oga Obinna, who both contributed to his recovery efforts.
“We thank Governor Sonko, may God bless him, because he had even committed himself to support him to open a channel,” Kimathi said. “He was willing to employ so many young people. Those are jobs gone, opportunities gone, a leader gone, a family gone.”
A Family’s Pain and Acceptance
Kimathi said the family had chosen not to dwell on blame or speculation. After investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and a review of CCTV footage from the rehabilitation centre, the family was satisfied that Mbugua took his own life.
“We are not blaming anyone,” Kimathi said. “The DCI came, and they took the body. The footage is there — how he committed suicide. We have accepted it. Since he has chosen to rest, who are we to say not to rest?”
The grief remains raw, but the family’s faith has guided them through the darkness.
“He has really broken our hearts completely,” Kimathi added. “We have no way to deal with it.”
Mental Health and a Message to the Youth
Mbugua’s death has reignited conversations around mental health, especially among young people navigating fame, pressure, and personal struggles.
His father urged Kenya’s youth to seek guidance, both spiritual and emotional, during times of crisis.
“Choose God to guide you,” he said softly. “But don’t choose to rest in that formula. Wait until your time comes.”
For many Kenyans who followed Mbugua’s story, his life embodied both brilliance and vulnerability — a young man whose courage to speak openly about mental illness helped others confront their own.
A Life Remembered
Kimani Mbugua’s passing is not just a personal tragedy for his family but also a national reminder of the urgent need to care for mental wellness.
He will be remembered as a gifted storyteller, an unflinching voice, and a young man who dared to be open about his pain.
In his father’s words, “He was surrounded by golden opportunities and people willing to help him rebuild his life.”
Now, Kenya remembers him not just for the career he built, but for the light he brought — however briefly — to a conversation that still needs to be had.