Former TV Journalist Kimani Mbugua Dies at 29
Former Citizen TV and NTV journalist Kimani Mbugua has passed away at the age of 29. He died on the night of Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The cause of his death has not been officially disclosed. The young journalist had been publicly battling serious mental health challenges in recent years.
Mbugua had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and struggled with substance abuse. His condition had led to several public interventions. He had been in and out of rehabilitation centers in an effort to manage his health issues. His struggles were often visible, with concerned citizens occasionally finding him in distress on the streets.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Kimani Mbugua began his media career at a remarkably young age. He joined the Nation Media Group at just 19 years old. He worked as a presenter on both Nation FM and NTV before later moving to Citizen TV. His early success made him a recognizable face in Kenyan broadcast journalism, marking him as a rising star in the industry.
His career trajectory was, however, tragically cut short by his ongoing health battles. In recent months, his condition had deteriorated, leading to several public appeals for help. The journalist had released a video online begging for assistance, which prompted immediate responses from well-wishers.
Public Interventions and Health Struggles
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was among those who stepped in to help. On March 31, 2025, Sonko announced that he had located Mbugua in Thika and taken him to a rehabilitation center. The former journalist entered a rehab facility for treatment for the second time.
More recently, in May 2024, media personality Oga Obinna assisted Mbugua’s father in taking him to Mathari Hospital for specialized care. During this period, Mbugua’s father publicly confirmed his son’s bipolar disorder diagnosis. He also apologized to individuals who had been targeted in his son’s online videos during periods of crisis. The media fraternity is now mourning the loss of a talented but troubled colleague.
