Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko joined other family members and friends on Tuesday at JKIA to receive the body of the late Kimani Mbugua, who died last Wednesday in Mombasa.
Mbugua’s body was flown in from the coastal city ahead of his burial scheduled for October 28 in Maragua, Murang’a County.
Mbugua, 29, is reported to have died by suicide while at a rehabilitation centre in Mombasa.
The young journalist had been open about his struggle with bipolar disorder, sparking important national conversations around mental health.
Despite his efforts toward recovery, his journey was fraught with setbacks, including episodes of relapse, reportedly linked to substance abuse and negative peer influence.
Among those who supported him during this period were Sonko and media personality Oga Obinna.
In April, Sonko personally intervened after one of Mbugua’s relapses.
He dispatched a team that located Mbugua in Thika’s Makongeni estate and readmitted him to the rehabilitation centre.
“I engaged him in an extensive counselling session and decided to offer him a second chance,” Sonko said at the time.
“I was committed to ensuring he remained at the centre, and once fully recovered, he would be allowed to work there.”
Speaking Tuesday at the mortuary in Mombasa, Mbugua’s father, Dedan Kimathi, described a son who fought valiantly to overcome his pain but ultimately felt overwhelmed.
“He wrote to me, ‘Dad, I’m tired. I have chosen to rest. Today I do,” Kimathi said tearfully, his face etched with sorrow.
Kimathi also confirmed that his son’s death was captured on CCTV and reiterated that the family does not suspect foul play.
“I verified that the suicide note was in his handwriting. We have accepted this painful loss. I want to thank everyone who supported him- Governor Sonko, Obinna, and every Kenyan who walked with him,” he said.
Kimathi recalled his son’s optimism in their recent conversations, saying Mbugua had consistently expressed hope that he was healing and would soon return to journalism.
“He used to tell me, ‘Dad, as I stabilise, I’ll get back to my work. I want to be the best journalist in this country because I’m still young.”
Before joining Citizen TV, Mbugua worked at the Nation Media Group, where his compelling feature stories and lifestyle segments earned him recognition as one of Kenya’s most promising young journalists.
