Former Citizen and NTV journalist Kimani Mbugua will be buried on Tuesday, October 28, in Maragua, Murang'a County.
According to police reports, confirmation by his father and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, Mbugua reportedly took his own life at the Mombasa Rescue Centre, where he was undergoing rehabilitation.
Kimani's father Dedan Kimathi stated that the former journalist was captured on CCTV footage in the moments before his death, confirming the cause of death as suicide.
Kimathi, told reporters that the late journalist had seemed to have given up fighting his problems and wished for peace, as written in his journal notes.
The grieving father added that his son's final communication indicated despair following his battle with mental health.
"Because he says that 'I know I have taken myself; I have been a burden to myself, and I don't want to be a burden any further. He mentioned that 'I have chosen to rest in the hands of God," Kimathi said.
"I am saddened to hear about the premature demise of former Citizen TV and NTV journalist Kimani Mbugua at the Mombasa Women Empowerment Mental Rescue Centre. It is believed that he may have taken his own life," the former governor wrote.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) conducted investigations combing through the facility's footage indicating what conspired with Kimani.
"We are not blaming anyone. The DCI came, and they took the body. We as a family are not complaining of the facility because the footage is there how he committed suicide and we have accepted it. We have said since he has chosen to rest, who are we to say not to rest?" Kimathi told media outlets.
At the young age of 19, Kimani had become a public figure. He had achieved quick success as one of Citizen TV's most promising new talents. However, his life faced a significant challenge in 2020 when he received a medical diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
"Hi guys, Kimani Mbugua here, former star of TV. It feels so bad to say that right now because I am not there anymore. But niko kwa shida, and I need your help. I fell ill in 2020. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and since then, my life has fallen apart. I have lost so many things; I have lost so many friends on the journey. People got tired of me," he once revealed.
After leaving the hospital, he said that he had nowhere to live and was working hard to put his life back together.
"I got out of the hospital literally last week, and I feel my mind has come back to normal. I don't want to go back to the place I used to be. So... I'm homeless. I have my bag, and I'm out," he said at the time.
Mbugua posted a series of disturbing episodes on social media suggesting that he had relapsed. He was admitted to the Mombasa Women Empowerment Network Rescue Centre with the help of Mike Sonko.
Following the reports of a relapsed, homeless Kimani, Sonko sent a team to find him, brought him to his office for counselling, and arranged for his re-admittance to the Mombasa Women's Rehabilitation Centre for treatment.
Sonko had committed not only to covering the costs of Mbugua's full recovery but also to offering him a job opportunity at the rehabilitation centre upon his successful completion of the program.
This was not the first time Mbugua was in a rehabilitation Centre. He had previously been admitted at Mathare Mental Hospital in Nairobi before being taken to Mombasa where he continued rehabilitation for six months.
His family have also been vocal about the journalist's condition in the past. His younger sister narrated how her brother's life had transformed drastically in an interview on NTV.
"Kimani has always been very close to us because he is our only brother. We used to do things together, sometimes even wear matching clothes. He would lead morning prayers and devotions," Wanjiku said.
Kenyans on social media expressed their condolences to his family, friends and relatives. Njeri Wanyoike on X wrote, "So sad! Just yesterday, I came across a TikTok video about his mental struggles and healing progress and now his death today!"
Another added, "This is truly heartbreaking. My condolences go out to Kimani Mbugua's family, friends, and colleagues. May they find strength during this difficult time, and may his soul rest in eternal peace."