Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has fulfilled his promise to media personality Oga Obinna to help in the rehabilitation of former journalist Kimani Mbugua.
Through his social media accounts, the former county head shared a clip of the ailing journalist accompanied by his father catching a flight to Mombasa, where he would seek treatment for his Bipolar Disorder condition.
“Yesterday, we managed to airlift former Citizen TV journalist Kimani Mbugua to Mombasa rehabilitation and empowerment centre for further treatment as promised earlier during the oga obina interview. Let’s pray for him. I’m 100% sure, he’ll be OK,” he stated.
Two weeks prior, Obinna had hosted Sonko on his show ‘Oga Obinna Show Live’, where he shed light on Mbugua’s case, appealing for financial support to cater to specialized treatment for him.
Sonko promised to foot the troubled journalist’s medical bills and facilitate his transfer from Nairobi’s Mathari Hospital to Mombasa’s Rehabilitation and Empowerment Centre.
Obinna had previously hosted Kimani’s father on his show, seeking to understand what led to the deterioration of his son’s mental health. This was after Kimani had made disturbing online outbursts on his social platforms, which prompted the interview.
He revealed that his son’s psychological condition manifested four years ago after his drink was spiked at a party, which triggered a spiral in his behaviour. Repeated drug abuse further made his psychological state worse.
Bipolar Disorder is described as a disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
Sonko has been a vocal mental health advocate, revealing that his family shares in the struggle of mental illness which has fueled his passion for charity in the matter.
In 2023, he came to the aid of boxing champion Conjestina Achieng who has battled mental issues for a decade, where he covered her medical bills at the Mombasa Women Empowerment Network Hospital in Miritini.
