KENYA’S LEADING ACTRESSES ON TV

With showstopping performances on television, likeable personalities in real life and surging popularity online, these leading ladies have slowly transformed the entertainment landscape and made Kenyans glued on TV every day. Who are they?

Celestine Gachuhi on Selina

Celestine plays the titular role on Selina, a show which has truly captured Kenyan audiences’ imagination. Selina has grown to become one of Kenya’s most watched TV show, pulling huge numbers for Maisha Magic East. Celestine has amassed over 300,000 followers online thanks to the show and she’s stretched herself to doing modelling, motivational speaking and even has a YouTube channel. Celestine says to be a good, “you need to be disciplined. Put your work out there and let people see what you can do.”

Sanaipei Tande on Kina

When Kina dropped, we already knew the show was going to serve heat. Sanaipei plays the cold-hearted Nana Tandala, the character who will do whatever it takes to get her way. Of course, I can’t spoil Kina for you but Nana has done some pretty questionable things on the show. Contrary to the character she plays, Sanaipei is adorable and kind in real life. Having been in the entertainment industry for close to 15 years, her fan base and industry friends has been growing. Sanaipei talked about the dynamics of her character and her personal life stating, “I see myself as a very traditional person, therefore, having to play a woman who’s more powerful than her husband was a bit difficult for me because I had to detach from what I have known all my life and channel this boss attitude.”

Trisha Khalid on Kovu

“I found her too much and too full of herself and high-maintenance in everything. It’s like she lived on the moon”, this is what Trisha said in one of her interviews about Ruby, the character she plays. Ruby is a no-holds-barred high maintenance spicy queen in the Swahili telenovela. It’s Trisha’s first acting gig and she initially thought it would be tough to play her but she has gone on to win fans with the character.

Nice Githinji on Nganya

Yes, Nice plays Malaika on Nganya but she’s anything but an angel. Wherever trouble is, you will most likely find Malaika there. But that is what has makes her likeable. The fiery and free-spirited energy Nice portrays Malaika keeps us glued. The TV show, focused on the urban culture of matatus, deserved Malaika’s vibe and Nice has just been acing it from day one. Nice is the producer of the show which manages to beautifully incorporate sheng and English. In a previous interview, Nice says that sheng was important to the show, “We see South Africa peddling their show with languages that we do not understand and even Nigeria does the same. We have Sheng and it is our language.”

Catherine Kamau (Kate Actress) on Ma’Empress

She’s funny, witty, sometimes acts holier-than-thou but the “girl-next-door” kind of vibe that Kate brings in the form of Eve is one of the many aspects that make Ma’Empress interesting. Kate’s great chemistry with the other co-stars is also felt throughout the show. The series, which revolves around the life of five urban Kenyan women is also one of the most popular shows on Maisha Magic East.