Popular Vioja Mahakamani Actor Gathu Mbugua Dies

The veteran actor had been battling kidney failure for more than 20 years

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Dec 22, 2022 - 06:58 Updated: Dec 22, 2022 - 07:18
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Popular Vioja Mahakamani Actor Gathu Mbugua Dies
The late Vioja Mahakamani actor Gathu Mbugua. /FILE

Actor Gathu Mbugua, well known for his role as 'Kiongozi wa mashtaka' from the long-standing court comedy series Vioja Mahakamani is dead.

The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) which has been hosting the show for years, announced the news of his unfortunate demise on Thursday, December 22.

The veteran actor had been battling kidney failure for more than 20 years and suffered one in November 2020.

A collage of Vioja Mahakamani actor Gathu Mbugua and former President Uhuru Kenyatta. /FILE

He thus appealed to Kenyans to help finance his kidney transplant operation.

"Gibson has been managing diabetes for over 20 years now, but sometime in November 2020 his kidneys failed hence he has been going for dialysis twice a week.

"The good news is that he has a donor and the purpose of this is to help him raise medical funds estimated to be between 5-6 million for a kidney transplant scheduled for July 2022 at the Mediheal Hospital, Eldoret. The said amount is inclusive of post-surgery treatment for the recipient," the appeal read at the time.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta was one of those who came to his aid through a Ksh2 million donation to cater for the thespian's kidney transplant.

In August 2022, Gathu told his fans that the kidney transplant was successful and he had since been discharged. 

“I have been in hospital since July 18, 2022, and I was discharged on August 3, 2022. I feel so good,” he said.

Speaking to a local media station after Uhuru's donation, the elated Mbugua revealed that the former President sent his personal donation of Ksh2 million during the fundraiser held at Charter hall inside the Nairobi county building.

"President Kenyatta who is a good friend did send his personal donation of Ksh2 million. We as a family and the committee thank him for the support,” the deceased actor stated at the time. 

While expressing optimism, Mbugua stated then that they almost hit the target of Ksh6 million after getting help from Kenyans in diaspora and local artists.

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