Kenyan filmmaker Nick Wambugu, best known for the documentary Blood Parliament and The People Shall has died after battling hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome.

Hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a rare blood disorder in which the bone marrow is less active than normal and fails to produce enough healthy blood cells.

This results in low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, frequent infections, anaemia, and excessive bleeding. In some cases, the condition can progress to acute leukaemia.

His death has been confirmed by his lawyer Ian Mutiso, who said the Kenyan filmmaker and videographer passed away on the morning of Wednesday, January 7, after a long battle with a rare illness.

In the months before his death, Wambugu publicly disclosed that he was suffering from hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood disorder that prevents the bone marrow from producing enough healthy blood cells.

During his final weeks, the filmmaker used social media to appeal for financial support to undergo a life-saving bone marrow transplant, a procedure estimated to cost about Sh9 million. One of his last posts announced a medical fundraiser scheduled for January 10 at a popular venue along Thika Road.

Before his passing, the 34-year-old video journalist revealed that his illness developed gradually, beginning with persistent fatigue that prompted his sister to encourage him to seek medical attention in October 2025.

Doctors later diagnosed him with the blood disorder, though they were unable to identify a specific cause, suggesting it may have been genetic or triggered by other factors.

Wambugu, who had worked in videography and filmmaking for several years, rose to national prominence following the release of Blood Parliament in mid-2025. The documentary drew widespread attention for its real-time portrayal of protesters during the 2024 anti-government demonstrations.

Days after the documentary aired, Wambugu and three others were arrested over allegations related to its production. He later filed a formal complaint, claiming police installed spyware on his phone while he was in custody — an allegation that reignited concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Kenya.

The explosive BBC documentary, Blood Parliament, focuses on Kenya’s 2024 anti-government protests, capturing the experiences of demonstrators and the public’s response in real time. (Photo: BBC)

The World Health Organisation notes that hypocellular MDS involves a reduced number of blood-forming cells altogether. This leads to low counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, a condition known as pancytopenia.

Because red blood cells carry oxygen, low levels can cause persistent fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and anaemia. A shortage of white blood cells weakens the immune system, making patients more vulnerable to frequent or severe infections. Low platelet levels affect blood clotting, increasing the risk of easy bruising, prolonged bleeding, or internal haemorrhage.

The exact cause of hypocellular MDS is often unknown, though it may be linked to genetic factors, immune-related damage to the bone marrow, prior chemotherapy or radiation exposure, or environmental toxins. Diagnosing the condition typically requires blood tests and a bone-marrow biopsy to assess cellular activity and rule out similar disorders such as aplastic anaemia.

Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the patient’s overall health. Options may include blood transfusions, medications to stimulate blood cell production, immunosuppressing therapies, or antibiotics to manage infections. In severe cases, a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant may offer the only potential cure, though it carries significant risks and requires a suitable donor.

Hypocellular MDS can be life-threatening if untreated, and in some patients it may progress to acute leukaemia. Early diagnosis, careful monitoring, and access to specialised care are critical in managing the disease and improving outcomes.

Blood Parliament is a 2025 BBC documentary co-created by Kenyan filmmaker Nick Wambugu and his colleagues. The film focuses on Kenya’s 2024 anti-government protests, capturing the experiences of demonstrators and the public’s response in real time. It highlights the tensions between citizens and authorities, showing both the courage of the protesters and the challenges they faced amid state intervention.