Nairobi News

Netflix will premiere a new Kenyan drama series Mo-Faya, created and directed by Reuben Odanga, on December 20, 2024.
The seven-episode series, a drama with a telenovela twist, is set primarily in Nairobi with glimpses of Western Kenya.
Mo-Faya follows Zawadie who, after discovering shocking truths about her family, sets out to build a new life with her boyfriend Brian – unaware that his dangerous double life will draw her into a world of secrets and crime.
The series stars Lorna Lemi reprising her role as Nairobby, Brahim Ouma as Pepeta, and newcomers Tobit Tom and Mathew Ngugi.
The supporting cast includes Alex Mwakideu (Nafsi), Blessing Lung’aho (Country Queen), Basil Mungai (Kina), Tessy Njine (Selina), and media personality Cate Rira.
Odanga is best known for directing and producing the long-running, Kalasha award-winning telenovela Selina, which captivated audiences for five seasons before ending in 2022.
Selina is the production that put Reueben on the pedestal of Kenyan telenovelas.
In an earlier interview with this writer, Odanga, who has been in the film business for two decades, confessed that Selina remains his highest-grossing production thanks to the hype that came with it, the quality of the output, and the ratings that attracted high viewership.
“Selina was a massive project that made tens of millions. We shot it for five years and it changed people’s lives. When we started Selina, my lead actors were taking home Sh120,000 a month and by the time it ended, the highest-paid actor was earning Sh280,000. Three people were earning more than me from the project.” He confessed.
Mo-Faya is his first series on Netflix, following the premiere of his debut feature film, Nafsi, on the global streaming platform in 2022.
“Mo-Faya is raw and grounded in realism, reflecting who we are beyond the filters of social media. The show underscores the importance of present and responsible parenting as the cornerstone of raising healthy individuals,” he says.