Tributes continue to pour in for celebrated Kenyan actor Bilal Wanjau, who died on Thursday while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.
According to family sources, Wanjau had been battling type 2 diabetes, pneumonia and complications from a persistent leg wound. He was rushed to the hospital earlier after experiencing severe breathing difficulties, but passed away later that night.
News of his passing has drawn an emotional response from across Kenya’s creative industry.
Actress Sandra Dacha was among the first to confirm his death, describing him as “a great, talented actor” and sharing a heartfelt video of their moments together.
Content creator Kabugi, who credited Wanjau for mentoring him early in his career, said the late performer “moulded me into who I am today,” recalling how generously he offered support during their first collaboration.
Actor Tony Sherman remembered him as a constant source of joy on set, saying he was “always cheerful… cracking jokes every time.”
Institutional tributes have also highlighted Wanjau’s influence on Kenyan theatre and film.
The Kenya Theatre Awards praised his versatility, noting that his performances, from his work with Aperture Africa Productions to his nominations in the 3rd and 4th editions of the awards, “commanded our stages and paved the way for the next generation of actors.”
Theatre collective Too Early For Birds remembered him as “a flame that lit up the room,” recalling how he first captivated audiences with Kifo Kisimani in high school and later joined their 2022 production.
Meanwhile, Kitale Film Week described his death as “a huge loss to our industry,” saying he was cherished by peers and audiences alike.
Wanjau’s career spanned more than a decade, featuring roles in “Tahidi High”, “Jela 5 Star”, “Njoro wa Uba”, “Bazenga”, “The Runaway”, and Showmax’s “4Play”.
He also gained national recognition through popular commercials such as “Utahama Lini?” and won the 2017 Kalasha Award for Best Performance in a Comedy.
