Famous Kenyan movie star Gibson Gathu Mbugua popularly known as ‘Kiongozi wa mashtaka’ is dead. The veteran actor is famous for his role as a prosecutor from the seasoned court comedy series Vioja Mahakamani
Gibson Gathu Mbugua had been managing diabetes for over 20 years and in November 2020 suffered kidney failure. Early this year, Gibson Gathu Mbugua appealed to Kenyans for financial help to undergo a kidney transplant.
Gibson Mbugua has been featured in many films both locally and on international levels the most notable one is “The Air Up There”. Released on the 7th of January 1994, the film follows a basketball coach who travels to Africa to recruit a new star.
“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 includes post-surgery treatment for the recipient,” the appeal read at the time.
Uhuru comes to Gibson Gathu Mbugua’s aid
Kenyans, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta, came to Gathu’s aid.
The retired Head of State donated Ksh2 million to cater for the thespian’s kidney transplant.
Speaking to a local media station after Uhuru’s donation, the elated Mbugua who played the prosecutor on the Vioja Mahakamani show, revealed that the former President sent his donation of Ksh2M during the fundraiser held at Charter Hall inside the Nairobi county building.
“President Kenyatta, a good friend, did send his personal donation of Sh2M. We as a family and the committee thank him for the support,” the deceased actor stated.
While expressing optimism, Mbugua stated then that they almost hit the target of Ksh6M after getting help from Kenyans in the diaspora and local artists.