A fireside chat held during MultiChoice Kenya’s 30th anniversary celebrations has sparked fresh debate around the future of the country’s creative economy, with artists calling for recognition, policy support, and discussions about royalties.
Gathered at the milestone event in Nairobi were actors, directors and industry stakeholders who took the opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of Kenyan storytelling.
The conversation began as panellists Philip Karanja, Pascal Tokodi, Ainea Ojiambo and Joe Kinyua paid tribute to the shows that paved the way for today’s productions.
Popular programmes from Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), including Vioja Mahakamani, Vitimbi, and Tausi, were recognised as foundational to Kenya’s growth in visual storytelling.
“Before Multichoice, we had KBC. Those shows were more than just entertainment,” Ainea Ojiambo said. “They were part of our national identity and have shaped how we tell our stories today.”
The discussion further acknowledged other Kenya productions whose success have had an impact in the industry.
The discussion also centred on the runaway success of local productions under MultiChoice’s platforms, including Selina, Zari and Njoro wa Uba.
Njoro wa Uba, which follows the life of a Nairobi taxi driver navigating financial and social challenges, was celebrated as a standout show with many in the audience praising it as the most authentic Kenyan show currently on air.
Joe Kinyua, the actor behind the titular Njoro, said he remained surprised by the show’s enduring popularity. “It still amazes me how popular the show has become,” he said during the chat, noting how the story resonated with everyday struggles faced by many Kenyans.
The conversation later shifted to the structural challenges facing creatives, particularly the lack of royalty payments for actors in Kenya’s film industry.
Actor and musician Pascal Tokodi raised the issue, calling on MultiChoice to open a discussion about the establishment of a royalties framework that would ensure artists and their families are compensated whenever their work is aired or streamed.
“I would love to ask MultiChoice… if we could have a conversation about royalties so that actors can live off their work,” Pascal Tokodi said. “It’s sad when I see an actor who was famous in a big show struggling 3 or 4 years later, and the show is still running.”
His remarks struck a chord with many in the room, as other panellists and attendees nodded in agreement. Some noted that without such structures in place, even the most successful productions fail to secure long-term income for the people who create them.
The Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, Fikirini Jacobs, later acknowledged the need to create policy and pledged the government’s willingness to partner with stakeholders in the industry.
“As a state department, we assure you that we want to partner with MultiChoice and other stakeholders to create regulations and find incentives which will go a long way in capitalising the creative economy,” he said.
The anniversary event brought together stars of Kenya’s small screen, including Selina actress Celestine Gachuhi, Sue and Jonny’s Daddy Marto, Selina director Reuben Odanga, and Mvera director Daudi Anguka, among others.
