Former Citizen TV journalist Kimani Mbugua has been readmitted to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital for further mental health treatment on January 21, 2025. This comes after a series of events involving his father, comedian Oga Obinna, and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, which raised public concerns about his condition.
Kimani’s father, accompanied by Obinna’s media crew and two men, took him to the health facility in Nairobi, where a video captured the moment. “We have brought him here so that he can receive first aid. A toxicology test will also be conducted to determine if substances he used impacted his condition,” Kimani’s father explained. Despite the situation, Kimani appeared calm and interactive, expressing that he felt energized.
During the visit, Kimani’s father also issued a public apology to Sonko for previous actions, thanking him for his support. “To Mike Sonko, thank you very much for what you put across. We are taking it as advice from an elder brother for us to come together and work well,” he said. He expressed his gratitude to Obinna and his team for helping get Kimani to the facility, and added that once he stabilizes, they plan to move him back to Mombasa with Sonko’s assistance.
Sonko, who had previously helped with Kimani’s recovery by facilitating his transfer to Mombasa Women’s Hospital and clearing his bills, voiced disappointment over how the matter had been handled. He criticized the public discussions of Kimani’s condition and stressed the need for a more sensitive approach. Sonko warned that public accusations could worsen Kimani’s mental state and pledged to personally oversee his care moving forward.
In addition, Kimani’s father shared that Kimani’s mental health struggles began after his ex-girlfriend noticed unusual behavior. He also disclosed that Kimani’s condition worsened following an incident at his birthday party, where some women allegedly spiked his drink.
Sonko’s ongoing support for Kimani’s recovery underscores his commitment to the former journalist’s well-being, urging those involved to handle the situation with care to avoid further harm.