Kenyan online personality Bryan ‘Kabugi’ Kihara, known for his trending skits and dynamic presence on TikTok and Instagram, is reeling after a burglary at his home, which left him devastated and temporarily unable to create content.
According to social media posts from Kabugi himself, unknown intruders broke into his residence and made off with expensive electronic equipment—including cameras, lighting, and other tools essential for his work. Preliminary losses are estimated in the hundreds of thousands of shillings.
In a heartfelt Instagram story, Kabugi expressed his frustration and heartbreak, conveying how the stolen gear not only affects him financially, but also disrupts his source of livelihood.
Kabugi, who has carved out a recognizable niche in Kenya’s digital entertainment space, detailed how the gear’s loss has interrupted content production and left him feeling helpless. He emphasized that his artistry depends on equipment that is both hard to replace and prohibitively expensive.
A fellow creator and friend commented: “When the tools of a digital trade vanish, a creator’s world pauses—but the community rallies.”
Fans quickly responded with messages of solidarity, with many extending support for an initiative to help him rebuild. Fellow content creators pledged backup gear and invited him to collaborate.
Kabugi has urged his followers to stay calm and avoid sharing personal information while offering updates on recovery efforts and plans to reshoot recent video projects.
In a related incident, Kabugi recently spoke out about being conned in Nairobi; while he did not disclose full details, he said the experience left him emotionally shaken. Though unrelated to the burglary, the tension reflects the growing insecurity affecting content creators and freelancers.
With his studio gear gone, Kabugi announced an indefinite pause on new uploads until he can secure replacements. However, his closest collaborators say post-production help and backup editing stations are being arranged.
Discussions are also underway among peers about forming a community-supported “tools library”—a shared resource where creators can lend and borrow equipment during emergencies.