Four Kenyan originals that will air on Showmax

A thriller series starring Serah Ndanu (right) is among the new Kenyan originals planned to debut this year on Showmax. [File, Standard]

Kenya's first Christmas feature film, a crime series based in Kibera, a high-stakes political thriller series set in a fictional county, and a thriller series starring Serah Ndanu and Blessing Lung'aho are among the new Kenyan originals planned to debut this year on Showmax.

This follows the release of Crime and Justice, now in its second season, film Baba Twins, and the drama series Single Kiasi.

“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,” said Timothy Okwaro, MultiChoice Channel Director, East and Southern Africa.

The first, Igiza is a 13-part thriller series currently in production that follows twin sisters Linda and Nicole as they go to war after a betrayal that transforms their lives forever. 

Kalasha Award-winning actress Serah Ndanu plays the double role of Linda and Nicole, with Blessing Lung’aho, Kevin Samuel, Emmanuel Mugo, Ainea Ojiambo, Sheila Ndanu and Torome Sision co-starring. 

The other, slated to begin production in April 2022, Pepeta is a crime drama series that captures the dreams and realities of the youth in Kibera. 

County 49 on the other had follows the political intrigues of the fictional Bwatele County, Kenya’s 49th county and the nation’s breadbasket, whose citizens are suffering from the high cost of living and scarce resources, despite the county’s wealth in resources. It is being produced by Kibanda Pictures, made up of Supa Modo and Crime and Justice director Likarion Wainaina, Morning After director Brian Munene, producer Millicent Ogutu and producer and actor Bruce Makau (known for his role in Kina). 

Then there's the yet untitled project will be Kenya’s first-ever Christmas feature film, and will be produced by Reuben Odanga, the award-winning filmmaker behind the popular Swahili telenovela Selina and Nafsi, the 2021 romantic drama which made history as the first Kenyan film to run in cinemas for eight consecutive weeks. Joining Odanga as the film’s writer is Natasha Likimani, known for Famous, Sincerely Daisy and Disconnect.