Bilal Wanjau: Video showing how late actor was honoured with Islamic burial emerges
By Steve Ireri, December 6, 2025Renowned Kenyan actor Bilal Wanjau was laid to rest on Friday, December 5, 2025, in an emotional ceremony in Machakos, just a day after news of his untimely demise broke.
A day after the burial, a fresh video showing how the actor was laid to rest in a ceremony that followed full Islamic funeral rites has emerged, stirring even more emotion among fans.
In the TikTok video shared by user @Alfanny, the ceremony is seen starting at a mosque in the dusty town of Machakos, where people, dressed in Islamic attire, prayed with Bilal’s body at the centre, folded in an Arabic shroud.
Thereafter, the men, dressed in kanzus and arafats, took the body, hoisted it on their shoulders, and started walking down the street as more people joined in, chanting Islamic dirges.
They are then seen passing a signboard reading “Medical Centre Machakos” before arriving at a dusty field where a shallow grave had been dug.
They then removed Bilal’s body from the wooden casket they had placed it in, wrapped it in white shrouds, and performed Islamic salat for it before proceeding to lay it in the grave.
According to the video, pieces of wood were laid over the body before heaping soil onto it.
Sheikhs also attended the burial and are seen addressing the crowd, including Kenyan celebrities who had come to honour the life of a member of their thriving showbiz industry.
After the soil was heaped, some men were seen sprinkling water on the fresh mound of earth, and the ceremony ended with people posing for photos at the gravesite, where no artificial flowers were laid.
Untimely passing
Wanjau passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025, while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital for complications related to diabetes.
Actress Sandra Dacha, who shared the news of his passing, described it as untimely and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of one of Kenya’s most talented actors.
“It is with profound sorrow that I announce the untimely passing of my colleague Bilal Wanjau this early morning due to diabetes complications,” Sandra announced.
She noted that burial arrangements had been swiftly made to lay him to rest the following day.
“Bilal was a GREAT, TALENTED ACTOR! We have lost one of the BEST in the industry,” she stated. The burial date is set for Friday (tomorrow), 5/12/2025, at his rural home in Machakos. Kindly keep the family in your prayers. May God rest his soul in eternal peace,” she added.
Vibrant career
Bilal had a vibrant career in Kenyan film and theatre. He was best known for his role in Tahidi High and appeared in several other popular productions, including Bazenga, The Runaway, Wimped, Lies That Bind, and the prison drama Jela 5 Star.
He also gained acclaim for his portrayal of the prison guard Kasoro Bin Kasoro, earning respect for his versatility, professionalism, and strong on-screen presence.