The Kenyan entertainment world is in mourning after the passing of beloved actor Bilal Wanjau, a versatile performer whose work touched many households across Kenya.
The announcement came on December 4, 2025, when fellow actor Sandra Dacha revealed that Wanjau had succumbed to complications related to diabetes.
Bilal was the son of Ibrahim Bilali, a retired flyweight boxer, who won a bronze medal in the flyweight division (– 51 kg) at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
Early life and rise to acting.
Bilal Wanjau’s passion for acting began in his school days, when he would write and direct scripts in Form 3.
After completing his secondary education, he shifted into professional acting, a path that would eventually bring him widespread fame.
He first came to public attention with commercials, including memorable adverts such as “Utahama Lini?” and “Utahama Roundi Hii,” where he played a character named “Junior.”
Over time, his craft matured, and he began landing roles on major Kenyan television productions, cementing his place in the industry.
Signature roles and contributions to Kenyan television
Bilal Wanjau became a household name through his work on several popular TV series.
He starred in Tahidi High, a stalwart of many Kenyan homes, where his performances resonated with a generation of viewers.
He also featured in shows like Jela 5 Star on Maisha Magic East, where he played the role of “Kasoro Bin Kasoro,” a prison guard, a performance that earned him acclaim and a prestigious award.
His other credits included dramas and series such as Lies that Bind, Pepeta, Bazenga, The Runaway, Wimped, Njoro wa Uba, Hullabaloo Estate and Sumu la Penzi, among many others.
More recently, he appeared in the streaming series 4Play (2024–2025), portraying “Michael,” marking his continued relevance in Kenya’s evolving entertainment landscape.
His range was impressive, moving between comedy and drama, on-screen roles and commercials, mainstream television and streaming platforms.
This versatility not only demonstrated his talent but also underscored his commitment to the craft of acting in Kenya.
In recognition of his talent, he won the Kalasha Award for Best Performance in a Comedy in 2017 for his role in Jela 5 Star.
The circumstances of his death and industry reaction
According to a family spokesperson, Bilal Wanjau had been fighting health challenges related to type 2 diabetes.
In the days before his death, he was hospitalised at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after developing pneumonia and complications from a leg wound.
“We brought him to the hospital on Monday, and they ran tests till Wednesday. The doctors were about to begin treatment before he passed on later in the night,” the spokesperson said.
Fellow actors, colleagues, and fans flooded social media with tributes, expressing grief and describing his passing as a huge loss to Kenya’s film and television industry.
In her tribute, Sandra Dacha said, “Bilal was a great, talented actor! We have lost one of the best in the industry.”
His burial is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025, at his rural home in Machakos, according to family arrangements.
Bilal Wanjau’s career spanning commercials, television, film, and streaming platforms showcases the evolution of Kenya’s entertainment industry over the decades.
He was part of a generation of actors who proved that local talent could produce stories that connect deeply with Kenyan audiences.
His ability to switch between comedy and drama, light-hearted adverts and serious roles, appealed to a broad demographic; for many, his characters became part of daily conversations and memories.
Bilal’s death is not just a loss of one actor, but a farewell to a familiar face that entertained, challenged, and inspired many at home.
As tributes continue to pour in, what remains clear is that his influence on Kenyan entertainment will endure, and his roles will remain etched in the memories of those who watched him laughing, reflecting, or simply feeling represented.
