5 Must-Watch Kenyan Series and Where to Stream Them Today: Kito, Pepeta & More
From Kito to Pepeta and more, here are five Kenyan picks to binge this weekend that hit a little closer to home.
Kito
Kito is an all-new football drama set to premiere on Citizen TV on 9th January 2025 at 8 pm. It will air on YouTube under Co-op Bank.
Co-created by Tosh Gitonga and Mona Ombogo, it follows a talented young athlete who must return to the field after his mother’s passing.
He is left under the care of his uncle, who owns a football academy. As his uncle re-enters his life, the drama that surrounds an athlete’s life soon follows.
The cast includes
Rogers Otieno, Wangui Ndirangu, Sahara Mohammed, Tobit Tom, Vannessa Okeyo, Joan Kedunywa, Prince Jude, Isaac Juma, Anastacia Kirathe, Michael Sanchez Voiya, Ian Mumo, Marcus Ochieng, and Henriques Kathema.
Sense8
Sense8 is a two-season sci-fi epic that aired from 2015 to 2018. It was shot across multiple locations around the world, including Kenya.
It follows 8 mentally linked individuals who navigate their corners of the world with occasional help from each other.
Sense8 was created and produced by the Wachowski siblings and is written by Michael Straczynski. The extensive cast featured a number of famous Kenyans, including Peter King Nzioki, Paul Ogola, Mumbi Maina, Nini Wacera, Lwanda Jawar, Elsaphan Njora, and Abdu Simba.
Both seasons and the finale are available for streaming on Netflix.
Pepeta
Pepeta is a Kibera-based epic that treads the thin line between passion and crime. It is based on a true story.
Pepeta follows 17-year-old Junior—played by Brahim Ouma—who is unable to continue his education and turns to football as his rock.
His passion comes with strings attached as he makes a deal with gangsters who promise to fund him. Will Junior survive his deal with the devil, or will his story be another chapter in the story of Kenya’s lost youth?
Pepeta wasn’t your typical feel-good story or a romantic comedy. Pepeta highlights the lives of Kenyan youth, centering on what it means to come from Kibera with a dream.
The cast includes
Brahim Ouma, Malik Lemuel Mbemme, Lwanda Jawar, George Mo, Brian Ngaira, Avril, Marrianne Nungo, Eravuna Wycliffe, Eric Aswani, and Moses Gathoga.
Pepeta was released in 2022 and is available for streaming on Showmax. It was produced by James Kombo, directed by Vincent Mbaya, and written by Damaris Irungu.
Crime and Justice
In Crime and Justice, Detective Makena and Silas are thrown into a world of social issues and crime, which mirrors real-world Nairobi. Crime and Justice is a near-realistic rendition of Kenya’s limited judicial system.
It also sheds light on causes like gender-based violence and terrorism. ‘Crime and Justice’ was awarded Best TV Drama, and Sarah Hassan was awarded Best Lead Actress in a TV Drama during the 2021 Kalasha Awards.
Since its release in February 2021, it was top 10 streamed shows on Showmax that year.
Its cast includes
Sarah Hassan, Alfred Munyua, Maqbul Mohammed, Paul Ogola, Koome Kinoti, Justin Miriichi, Mumbi Maina, Charles Ouda, Sheila Munyiva, Bilal Mwaura, Raymond Ofula, and Brian Ogola.
Crime and Justice was directed by Likarion Wainaina (Supa Modo), Tosh Gitonga (Nairobi Half Life), Edwin Kamau (40 Sticks), and Adam Neutzsky-Wulff and currently has two seasons. Crime and Justice is a joint production between Showmax and CANAL+ Group and is available for streaming on Showmax.
Subterranea
This Kibanda Pictures production is directed by Likarion Wainaina (director of the Showmax original Super Modo) and produced by Brian Munene. Written and co-written by Brian Munene and Arnold Mwanjila.
This psychological thriller follows 8 participants who are locked in a bunker in order to win a cash prize of ten thousand dollars.
The 8 participants must share tasks and resources, but their different personalities and pasts clash in the process.
Tension rises as they realize that the only way out has been locked for good.
The cast includes
Foi Wambui, Nice Githinji, Melvin Alusa, Makena Kahuhaha, Peter Kawa, Melissa Kiplagat, Philippa Ndisi-Herrmann, Biko Nyongesa, Pauline Komu, Dadson Gakenga, and new actor Chintu Chudasama.
All episodes are available for streaming on Showmax.
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