Legendary Kenyan actor, Gibson Gathu Mbugua, known for his role as ‘Kiongozi wa Mashtaka’ (the prosecutor) in the long running KBC comedy Vioja Mahakamani, is dead.
In August this year, Mbugua underwent a kidney transplant at the Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret.
“Good morning friends and family… This morning I have received a phone call from mediheal hospital informing me that our brother Gibson has rested.. it’s been a journey but in all God is still on the throne,” his family said.
Mr Mbugua was admitted in hospital lin July after well-wishers, led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, came through for him in a fundraiser that realised a total of Sh6 million for his treatment.
He expressed his gratitude after being discharged from hospital following a successful surgery.
He was full of appreciation to the Head of State for his Sh2 million donation, as well all Kenyans who offered him support. He particularly expressed his gratitude for his colleagues, especially Lucy Wangui (the magistrate), Mathias Keya (Alfonse Makacha Makokha) and Hiram Mungai (Ondiek Nyuka Kwota).
“I am so thankful to Kenyans who came through for me. I could never appreciate them enough,” the actor said.
In an earlier interview, the actor had disclosed how kidney failure had depleted his family’s finances since he was diagnosed.
He painfully narrated how costly dialysis treatment had driven him and his family over the edge leaving them helpless and with no choice but to appeal for funds from Kenyans of goodwill to finance his surgery and post kidney transplant treatment.
“Dialysis treatment is costly. It exhausts your medical insurance cover and you start digging deep into your pockets. Insurance cover is limited. You have to undergo dialysis three times in a week and each visit you pay from Sh10,000,” he said back then
