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.
“Good morning friends and family… This morning I received a phone call from the medical 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.
Mbugua was admitted to the hospital in July after well-wishers, led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, came through for him in a fundraiser that realized a total of Sh6 million for his treatment.
In August this year, Mbugua underwent a kidney transplant at the Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret.
He was full of appreciation to the Head of State for his Sh2 million donation, as well as 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).
In an earlier interview, the actor disclosed how kidney failure had depleted his family’s finances since he was diagnosed.
He 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 coverage and you start digging deep into your pockets. Insurance cover is limited. You have to undergo dialysis three times a week and for each visit, you pay Sh10,000,” he said back then
