- Popular filmmaker Nick Wambugu was battling a rare blood disorder that he contracted days before raising money for his treatment
- He was among four filmmakers arrested in 2025 following the BBC’s Blood Parliament documentary on anti-government protests
- TUKO.co.ke featured five photos showing his vibrant personality and the rich life he lived before his untimely death
Filmmaker Nick Wambugu has been confirmed dead following a battle with a rare blood disease, just days before his expected fundraising event.
Source: Facebook
His death caused widespread mourning across Kenya, with family and fellow designers celebrating his courage and cheerful personality despite his health problems.
Many have described him as a brave storyteller who dedicated his life to writing history even when he faced great legal and physical challenges.
TUKO.co.ke showed five pictures that show the life he lived and the experiences he had that have now inspired many to follow their dreams.
1. Nick Wambugu was on the list of winners
The famous writer was among the men who made it to the list of the top 40 people of Business Daily most influential in 2025.
She shared a photo of the post that hit the daily papers and accompanied Chadwick Boseman’s famous quote, saying:
“When you pray for something, it can happen, and that’s powerful.”
Source: Facebook
2. He was kind
From his pictures on social media, one can quickly see that Wambugu knew how to interact with people, and made friends easily.
Due to his many travels, he took friends and people to the various places he visited and showed netizens the fun things they could do.
In one of the pictures, he was playing with his white friend in a selfie in the streets of London.
Source: Facebook
3. Nick Wambugu was an Award winning filmmaker
When he was in the United States, he had a chance to visit Los Angeles and even took a picture with a poster Hollywood behind him.
He later shared a photo with the trophy he won, leaving netizens congratulating him and wishing him more success in his film career.
Source: Facebook
4. Did Wambugu report on the Kenyan protests?
Wambugu went viral after he was arrested along with three other filmmakers during a midnight police raid on a studio in Karen for their alleged involvement in the BBC documentary “Blood Parliament.”
The article exposes police brutality during the protest led by General Z of 2024, using forensic analysis to identify officers who reportedly fired live shots at unarmed protesters.
Human rights groups and film associations have condemned the arrests as an attack on media freedom, noting that the creators face charges related to online harassment and publishing false information.
In one of his photos, he was captured reporting on anti-government protests.
Source: Facebook
5. He attended events
He proudly attended designer events and posted photos of himself and other attendees.
Wambugu also celebrated with other designers and seemed to show things that would help move forward.
Source: Facebook
What was Wambugu’s last post?
In his last post on social media on January 3, Wambugu described his courageous battle with Hypocellular MDS, a rare bone marrow disease that limited his body’s ability to produce blood cells.
He had asked for financial support, aiming to raise KSh 9 million for a life-saving bone marrow transplant in India, with a fundraising event scheduled for January 10.
Despite his positive attitude and belief that “hope still creeps into his condition,” many praised him for fighting to the end.
His death left a huge void in Kenya’s creative industry, as friends and colleagues continue to honor the legacy of a man who fought for truth as fiercely as he fought for his life.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
