| Written by Faith Mwende |
Former television presenter Kimani Mbugua has passed away at the age of 29.
He reportedly died on the night of Tuesday, October 14, 2025, though the cause of death has not yet been made public.
Sources close to the family indicate that Mbugua had been struggling with mental health challenges and had spent time in and out of rehabilitation centres over the past few years.
Kimani, who rose to fame after joining the Nation Media Group at just 19 years old, worked as a presenter on Nation FM and NTV before later moving to Citizen TV, where he continued his career in broadcasting.
Earlier this year, on March 31, former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko facilitated Mbugua’s admission to a rehabilitation centre, the second time the journalist had undergone treatment.
This intervention came after reports surfaced that Mbugua had relapsed and was seen wandering the streets of Thika Town.
At the time, Mbugua had released a distressing video pleading for help, which prompted Sonko’s response.
“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 wrote in a statement on March 31.
Kimani’s untimely death has sparked an outpouring of grief online, with many Kenyans mourning a once promising media talent whose struggles with mental health were well documented.
