NYOKABI MACHARIA
The actress grew up in Nakuru and knew from a young age she had artistic capability and talent. She told The Standard in an exclusive interview last year that she began taking a chance at film and acting in primary school, noting that her interest in the craft peaked in secondary school.
After school, she dived into theatre, she was a part of a production called Jesus Christ Superstar, produced by the Nairobi Performing Arts Studio in 2017.
In 2018, Nyokabi was cast as Giraffe on the children's show Tinga Tinga The Musical. The show had a run at the New Victory Theatre in New York City, the only full-time Broadway theatre for children and families, as reported by The Theatre Times.
Keep Reading
- Returning to work after maternity leave
- Teach your children good values at an early age
- Keeping your children busy over the holidays
- Safely include your children in the kitchen with these tips
The actress won the coveted Best Lead Actress in a Film award at the Kalasha Film and TV Awards last year and has gained a reputation for being a part of multiple successful local projects, from Netflix's Country Queen to Showmax's County 49 and Crime and Justice.
MUMBI MAINA
In the telenovela Second Family, Mumbi Maina plays Katherine, the CFO of EAGC (East Africa Granary Company), a lucrative business, which is now on the brink of collapse and financial ruin after the sudden death of its founder Leo (Ian Mbugua).
This is one of her latest roles in a successful film career that has seen her feature in international productions besides winning awards.
"She is ambitious, smart and driven," Mumbi says of Katherine.
"She's also a bit of a wild card in the ongoing succession battles for EAGC between the Gatehi-Lang'at family. While she seems to be helping Leo's daughter from his second family take control of the company as she makes an enemy out of Leo's first wife Evangeline (played by Dora Nyaboke), Katherine's altruistic motives are not to be taken at face value," Mumbi says.
Mumbi made her debut in film back in 2008 when she starred as Riziki in Unseen, Unsung, Unforgotten. Other projects she has participated in are Shattered, Mali, Jane and Abel, Kati Kati, Salem, Sense8 and The Matrix' Resurrections, among others.
CATHERINE KAMAU
Fondly known as Kate Actress by her fans, this star is beloved for her diverse TV roles and appearances as a bubbly brand ambassador for major companies. Not only is she recognised for her work, but she has mastered the use of social media to grow her brand, boasting a massive following- 2.3 million on Instagram and over 300,000 on TikTok.
She is known for roles in productions like romantic comedies Disconnect and Plan B, and TV series like Sue na Johnnie. Her role in Plan B earned her the title of Best Supporting Actress in the Film category at the 9th Kenya Film Commission Kalasha Awards. The actress rose to fame in 2006 when she played Celina on a popular local series, Mother-In-Law.
WANURI KAHIU
More women continue to make major moves in the industry, like film director Wanuri Kahiu, who is known for her films From A Whisper, based on the real events surrounding the 1998 twin bombings of US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, TV documentary For Our Land about Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai for MNET among others.
IMDB reports on Wanuri's success: "In 2010, her short science fiction film Pumzi premiered at Sundance Film Festival and went on to win best short film at Cannes Independent Film Festival and the silver at Carthage Film Festival (Tunisia). Pumzi also earned Wanuri the 'Citta di Venezia 2010' award in Venice, Italy. Her second feature film Rafiki based on the short story "Jambula Tree" premiered at Cannes 2018."
Prolific actresses like Wakio Mzenge, and Sanaipei Tande are more examples of ladies making waves in Kenya's film industry.