by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice’s video streaming service is expanding its East African programming slate with 4 new originals that will be released in 2022, including its first Kenyan Christmas feature film.

Showmax Kenya’s other Showmax Originals include a crime drama series set in Kibera, a political thriller series set in a fictional Kenyan province, and a thriller series starring Serah Ndanu and Blessing Lung’aho.

Showmax’s East African investment follows after Kenya’s first Showmax Original Crime and Justice which is currently in its second season, Kenya’s first Showmax Original film Baba Twins, and the
drama series Single
Kiasi.

Timothy Okwaro, MultiChoice channel director for East and Southern Africa, says “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”.

“Showmax subscribers can look forward to compelling local stories that
will definitely keep you tuned in. This slate speaks to our localisation
strategy and the keen focus on working with local producers, both established
and upcoming, to ensure we give our viewers what they want.”

Here’s a run-down of Showmax’s East Africa production slate:

Igiza

Currently
in production, Igiza
is a 13-part thriller series that follows twin sisters, Linda and Nicole, at
war after a betrayal that changes their lives forever.

Years later, one of the
sisters breaks out of prison and takes over the seemingly wonderful life of her
identical twin, with disastrous consequences. 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.

Igiza is
helmed by Abdi Shuria,
King Muriuki and Abu Melita under their company Yare Productions.

Pepeta

Slated
to begin production in April 2022, Pepeta
is a crime drama series that captures the dreams and realities of the youth in
Kibera, known for churning out top football players in Kenya.

Pepeta
follows three intertwining stories of Junior, a 17-year-old talented footballer
torn between the thrills of crime and the promises of soccer; Musa, an
unforgiving cop with a personal vendetta, determined to rid the streets of
criminals; and Biki, an ambitious football coach determined to get Junior and
his friends scouted before the barrel of the gun cuts short their dreams.

Loosely
based on the real-life story of Harun “Rio” Wathari, Pepeta is being
produced by CJ3 Entertainment’s James “Draka” Kombo, Mwangi Rurengo and Wanja Mworia, with Damaris Irungu, Charles Ouda and Abigail Arunga as as writers.

County 49

Welcome
to 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.

Now
against the backdrop of great civilian discontent, a disgraced security officer
is compelled to save the governor, and her chief of staff, his estranged wife,
from a local terrorist group, which has kidnapped them for money and revenge.

County
49 is
being produced by Kibanda Pictures, with director Likarion
Wainaina, director Brian Munene and producer Millicent Ogutu, and producer and actor
Bruce Makau.

Brian Munene also doubles as the show’s writer, alongside Voline Ogutu,
Mercy Mutisya and Martin Kingondu, with John Sibi-Okumu coming on
board as story consultant.

Kenya’s first Christmas feature film

This as-yet-untitled project will be Kenya’s first-ever Christmas feature film, and
will be produced by Reuben Odanga.

Joining Reuben Odanga as the film’s writer is
Natasha Likimani.