The body of former television journalist Kimani Mbugua
arrived in Nairobi on Monday evening from Mombasa, accompanied by members of
his family and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who facilitated the entire
transfer process.
The body was flown to the city aboard a Kenya Airways flight
and taken to the Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home along Thika Road, where it is
being preserved as burial arrangements continue.
Sonko coordinated and covered all transportation and related
expenses to ensure the late journalist received a dignified farewell.
“I have walked with Kimani for a long time, and even in his
death, I will still walk with him to ensure he receives a befitting send-off,”
said Sonko.
“It is unfortunate that whatever happened, happened.”
He added that his Sonko Rescue Team will cater for all
mortuary and logistical costs to ease the burden on Kimani’s grieving family.
Kimani, who once worked as a reporter and news anchor with
Citizen TV and later Nation Media Group, had been open about his struggles with
mental health and substance abuse.
He reportedly died while receiving treatment at a
rehabilitation centre in Mombasa, where Sonko had enrolled him for therapy after
a relapse earlier this year.
Family members, visibly emotional, thanked Sonko for his continued support, saying his intervention had been invaluable both during Kimani’s treatment and after his passing.
The family is expected to announce burial plans later this
week.
In addition to facilitating Kimani’s repatriation, Sonko
revealed that his team had also assisted the families of five victims who died
during a weekend stampede at Kasarani Stadium, where mourners had gathered to
view the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He said the Sonko Rescue Team, which operates nationwide,
supports between 10 and 20 families every week, helping them transport and bury
loved ones when financial constraints make it difficult.
Among the most recent beneficiaries was the family of Baby
Liz, a young girl from Kayole who died after being struck by a stone while
playing near her home.
Sonko’s team stepped in to cover funeral expenses and
provide emotional and logistical support to the family.
“We will continue helping families that are unable to meet
burial costs,” Sonko said.
“It is a small way of
giving hope and standing with them in their time of loss.”
Tributes for Kimani Mbugua have continued to pour in from
colleagues, friends, and fans who remember him as a gifted journalist with
immense potential.
Many have described his story as a tragic reminder of the
importance of supporting mental health awareness in the media industry and
beyond.
Kimani’s death has sparked widespread reflection on the
pressures facing young journalists and the need for stronger psychosocial
support systems within the profession.
