Former Citizen TV Journalist Kimani Mbugua Dies at 29

Former Citizen TV journalist Kimani Mbugua has passed away at the age of 29. He died on the night of Tuesday, October 14, after a long struggle with mental health challenges.

Mbugua had been battling bipolar disorder and had been in and out of rehabilitation centres over the past few years. His struggles with mental health and substance abuse were well-documented, often drawing public concern and calls for support.

Kimani began his journalism career at just 19 years old when he joined Nation Media Group as a presenter at Nation FM and NTV. He later moved to Royal Media Services, where he worked as a television presenter at Citizen TV, quickly becoming one of Kenya’s promising young media personalities.

On March 31 this year, former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko intervened and took Mbugua to a rehabilitation centre after reports surfaced that he had relapsed and was seen roaming the streets of Thika Town.

“Following reports that Kimani Mbugua has relapsed and gone back to the streets, today, I dispatched a team to locate him. He was found in Makongeni estate, Thika, Kiambu County,” Sonko said at the time.

Two months later, on May 16, 2024, media personality Oga Obinna revealed that he, together with Mbugua’s father and friends, had taken him to Mathari Hospital for further treatment.

“We passed by Mathare and are now waiting for instructions from Dad and Mum, then we will proceed. We will give the final update by evening,” Obinna shared.

During an earlier interview, Mbugua’s father disclosed that his son was battling bipolar disorder and apologised to those who had been offended by some of his son’s erratic online behaviour.