“He Died Like an Animal”: 17-Year-Old Dancer Allegedly Beaten to Death by Bouncers at Nairobi Rooftop Club
A family in Kangemi is reeling from shock and grief after their 17-year-old son, Wilberforce Kisia—a beloved dancer and rising online influencer—was allegedly beaten to death by bouncers at VVIP Rooftop Club in Nairobi.
Kisia had left home last Sunday, full of youthful ambition. He had been building a name for himself on stage and social media. But what was meant to be a night chasing his dreams turned into a nightmare.
The Disappearance
His family says the first signs of trouble came when his videos were mysteriously wiped from the club’s social media pages.
“The last time I saw him, he said, ‘I’ll be back Monday morning.’ But by Tuesday, there was nothing… no calls, no posts. That’s when I knew something was wrong,” said his brother, Kennedy Ambani.
After a desperate four-day search and countless unanswered calls, the family received the devastating news: Wilberforce was dead.
The Beating
According to eyewitnesses, a disagreement with two bouncers turned violent.
“He was just dancing on the stairs,” said his other brother, Vincent Mudoga. “One bouncer grabbed him and handed him to another. That one held him by the neck. That was the last anyone saw him alive.”
Reports indicate he was dragged into a room, strangled, and beaten with a blunt object. A post-mortem confirmed that he died from injuries consistent with prolonged assault. Shockingly, his body was not reported until nearly 24 hours later.
Seeking Justice
Two security guards have since been arrested and are set to appear in court on May 21, but for Kisia’s family, justice remains a distant dream.
“They killed my baby,” said Joyce Kavai, Kisia’s mother, her voice shaking with pain. “I keep asking why. Why did they kill him? I can’t even look at his pictures… they hurt too much.”
Beyond the brutal murder, serious questions remain: Why was a minor allowed into a club as a performer? Where was the club’s management when this happened? And why did it take a day to report his death?
A System That Failed Him
The case has reignited concerns over underage labor, nightclub safety, and the accountability of security staff in Nairobi’s nightlife industry.
“I haven’t received justice,” Kavai added. “And I want it. I won’t accept that my son died like an animal.”
As the family prepares for the long road to court, Kenyans are once again left to grapple with the price of unchecked violence—and the silence that too often follows.
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“He Died Like an Animal”: 17-Year-Old Dancer Allegedly Beaten to Death by Bouncers at Nairobi Rooftop Club