Serah Nandu Teshna, an award-winning media personality and actress, and actor Blessing Lung’aho are slated to star in a new Showmax series.
The streaming service is preparing to premiere four Kenyan originals, including the country’s first Christmas feature film, a criminal drama series based in Kibera, and a high-stakes political thriller series set in a fictional country.
Igiza, Pepeta, Christmas feature film, and County 49 are the four Kenyan originals slated to be released by Shwomax.
Igiza
Igiza is a 13-part thriller series that follows twin sisters Linda and Nicole as they go to war following a betrayal that transforms their lives forever, according to information gathered by this writer. Years later, one of the sisters is released from prison and begins a new life.
Blessing Lung’aho (Zora), Kevin Samuel (Mali), Emmanuel Mugo (Pillow Talk), Ainea Ojiambo (Kina), Sheila Ndanu (Maria), and Torome Sision (Monica) co-star alongside Serah Ndanu in the double role of Linda and Nicole.
Under their business Yare Productions, Abdi Shuria (renowned for his work as a cinematographer for 2021’s blockbuster Nafsi and upcoming feature Ayaanle), King Muriuki (The XYZ Show), and Abu Melita are helming Igiza. The series is currently under production. The series is currently in the works.
Pepeta
Pepeta is a new crime drama series that is in the works. Pepeta is a criminal drama series that depicts the hopes and goals of young people in Kibera, a city famed for producing some of the country’s best football players.
Junior, a 17-year-old talented footballer torn between the thrills of crime and the promises of soccer; Musa, an unforgiving cop with a personal vendetta determined to rid the streets of criminals; and Biki, an ambitious football coach determined to get Junior and his friends scouted before the barrel of the gun cuts their dreams short.
CJ3 Entertainment is producing the series, which is based on the life of Harun ‘Rio’ Wathari.
County 49
Despite the county’s riches in resources, the residents of fictional Bwatele County, Kenya’s 49th county and the nation’s breadbasket, are suffering from high costs of living and scarce resources.
A discredited security officer is now required to save the Governor and her Chief of Staff, his estranged wife, from a local terrorist gang that has kidnapped them for money and retribution, amid the backdrop of widespread population unrest.
Kibanda Pictures, which includes Crime and Justice director Likarion Wainaina, Morning After director Brian Munene and producer Millicent Ogutu, and producer and actor Bruce Makau, is producing County 49. Along with Voline Ogutu, Mercy Mutisya, and Martin Kingondu, Munene also serves as the show’s writer, with John Sibi-Okumu.
Kenya’s first Christmas feature film
Reuben Odanga, the award-winning filmmaker behind famous Swahili soap Selina and Nafsi, the 2021 romantic drama that made history as the first Kenyan film to run in theaters for eight weeks, will produce the yet-untitled project. Natasha Likimani, known for Famous, Sincerely Daisy, and Disconnect, joins Odanga as the film’s writer.
Following the release of Kenya’s first Showmax Original Crime and Justice, Baba Twins, and drama series Single Kiasi, the four originals will be released.
According to Timothy Okwaro, MultiChoice Channel Director for East and Southern Africa, they are attempting to broaden their genre by highlighting Kenyan stories from other perspectives.
“We have worked with new production houses to expand our genre offering to ensure that our viewers get to see the very best of Kenyan stories told in different facets of life, from thrillers to crime dramas to political thrillers.
“Showmax subscribers can look forward to compelling local stories that will definitely keep you tuned in. This slate speaks to our localization strategy and the keen focus on working with local producers, both established and upcoming to ensure we give our viewers what they want,” Okwaro said.
