NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenyan filmmaker Nick Wambugu, known for his association with the viral BBC Africa Eye documentary Blood Parliament, has died after a prolonged battle with a rare blood disorder, his lawyer has confirmed.
Wambugu, 34, lost his fight against Hypocellular Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a rare condition that causes the bone marrow to produce insufficient healthy blood cells, on the morning of January 7, 2026, according to his legal representative.
In the months leading up to his death, the award‑winning videographer had appealed on social media for financial support to undergo a bone marrow transplant, an operation that was estimated to cost about Sh9 million.
Wambugu gained national prominence following controversy related to the Blood Parliament documentary, which examined events during the June 25, 2024 anti‑tax protests in Nairobi.
The film, produced by BBC Africa Eye, used forensic video analysis to identify security personnel involved in deadly confrontations with protesters.
In May 2025, Wambugu and three colleagues, Brian Adagala, MarkDenver Karubiu, and Christopher Wamae, were arrested in connection with the documentary in a raid at their studio in Karen Village.
They were later released on bond.
Beyond his filmmaking, Wambugu was also outspoken about press freedom issues.
In court filings last year, he alleged that police had installed spyware on his phone while it was in custody, a claim that raised concerns about state surveillance of journalists.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues, activists, and members of the creative community, with many describing Wambugu as a courageous storyteller who used his camera to highlight difficult truths and amplify voices often unheard.
