Thanks to major streaming platforms like Netflix, our very own Kenya Filmmakers now have the opportunity to tell real Kenyan stories to the world.
Below is a list of some of our favorite Kenyan films currently on this streaming service- from comedies to dramas to thrillers.
Uradi
Uradi is a crime film directed by Kangethe Mungai, which follows Komu (Mwaura Bilal) a young man who goes to Nairobi to pursue architectural engineering. Upon his admission to the university drama begins to unfold as peer pressure increases his desire to live the ‘high life’. When life gets tough on campus Komu turns to petty crime to get quick cash and his architectural skills will be used instead to aid terrorism and turning back becomes a daunting task.
Subira
In Subira, director Ravneet Sippy points a wide lens at traditions and religion in Kenya. It’s a coming-of-age film that follows Subira( Brenda Wairimu) a young Muslim girl living on the small Kenyan Coast Island of Lamu. She spends her free time with her dad, who promises to teach her how to swim but dies before fulfilling that promise. Over the years, she is thrust into an arranged upper-class marriage but she struggles against customs and gender stereotypes to live out her dream of swimming.
Sincerely Daisy
Produced and directed by Kenyan actor Nick Mutuma, Sincerely Daisy, became the first ever film to be released via Netflix. It revolves around the life of a high school graduate Daisy (Ellah Maina) who seeks future opportunities in China but her dreams are shaken when her family’s financial crisis and mother’s concern put her plans for her future in doubt.
Poacher
Produced by Tom Whitworth, Poacher follows a young farmer Mutua (Brian Ogala) who steals a stash of Ivory from poachers hoping to sell them and buy some medicine for his ailing child. This crime thriller also features Nicola (Davina Leonard) a conversationalist who subjects herself to dangers as she tries to run her everyday errands and do her job.
Nairobi Half Life
Nairobi Half-Life was already a Kenyan hit way before it was available on Netflix it was even submitted for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Award but unfortunately it did not make the final shortlist. Directed by David Tosh Gitonga, this Kenyan film follows a young man named Mwas (Joseph Wairimu) who leaves his rural home in Kenya and sets out for the Capital City. He quickly learns, however, the city is not what he imagined it to be and there is more to Nairobi than just acting opportunities.
Morning After
Charlie Karumi and Foi Wambui star in this unique based on a true story short film, Morning After, in which a young man wakes up hung over one morning and discovers that his Mum (a very staunch Christian) has washed the clothes of a girl he sneaked home for a one-night stand.
Kati Kati
Written by Mugambi Nthiga and directed by Mbithi Masya, Katikati, follows Kaleche (Nyokabi Gethaiga) a young woman who finds herself in the middle of the wilderness and has no idea who she is and how she got there. She makes her way to Katikati where she’s informed that she is dead and won’t be able to leave. Since her arrival, affection between her and Thoma (Elsphan Njora) has been growing daily and she discovers that there’s a lot more to Thoma and the mysterious Katikati.
Nafsi
Nafsi features a star-studded cast who were all directed by Rueben Odongo. This emotional drama features Aisha (Mumbi Maina) who is unable to conceive after a traumatic childhood experience and asks her best friend Shiko (Catherine Kamau) to be her surrogate and help save her marriage. Aisha then changes her mind and wants Shiko to terminate the pregnancy. Shiko is left feeling abandoned and used and this threatens their close bond.
Disconnect
A romantic comedy, directed by Tosh Gitonga, the film revolves around a Nairobi dating scene following Celine (Brenda Wairimu) who has difficulty getting into a healthy relationship, and Josh (Nick Mutuma) a guy who relies on his guy friends to advise him on how to navigate the modern dating world. The film content is a great help for both men and women on how to deal with unwanted and wanted feelings in the complex Nairobi dating scene.
Nairobby
This crime thriller, directed by Jeniffer Gatero, instantly throws you in the deep end, showing us a group of six university students successfully pulling off a heist and they’re in an abandoned building. Lorna Lemi, Jack Chage, Jeritah Mwake, Sanchez Ombasa, and Martin Ndichu play the college students who plan to steal Kshs 37 million, stashed in the dean’s office. Romantic entanglements, lies, greed, and a hidden gun puts their friendship to the test.
Supa Modo
Directed by Likarian Wainaina and produced as part of the One Fine Day Film workshop project, Supa Modo features Jo (Stycie Waweru) a 9-year-old girl who loves superhero films. Battling a terminal illness, her mother Kathyrn (Marianne Nungo) takes Jo back home to her rural village to spend her last days with her family. The whole village takes it upon themselves to make Jo’s last dying wish of starring in a superhero movie come true.
Country Queen
Kenyan first home-grown Netflix series, Country Queen, shot in English, Swahili and a mix of other local languages, features Akisa Musyoka( Melissa Keplagat) an ambitious Nairobi event planner who returns to her village after 10 long years, where she confronts her painful past and a mining company that threatens the existence of her village. It also provides a star-studded cast for the viewer.
No matter where you are on the movie genre spectrum, we are sure you’ll find something to love here
