The MTV Staying Alive Foundation (MTV SAF) has unveiled the cast and creative leadership for the upcoming Season 2 of its youth drama, MTV Shuga Mashariki, set to premiere in early 2026.
Returning to Season 2 of MTV Shuga Mashariki will be the powerhouse ensemble of Serah Wanjiru, Basil Mungai, Matthew Ngugi, Wilson Muchemi, Fatuma Gichuru, Juliebrenda Nyambura, Fridah Mumbe, Renee Gichuki and Mwende King’ori, with fan-favourite Brian Kabugi making a powerful return this season in a major role.
The anticipated new season will also introduce Vanessa Okeyo Aika, Marima Wanjiru, Natalia Kyalo, Jenny Muigai, Amalie Chopetta, Beatrice Kamuyu, Eunice Kamau and Tanzania’s Talie Gray, all who will breathe fresh life into Shuga’s evolving narrative with their dynamic performances.
Mitchelle Kimathi, Country Manager (Kenya) at MTV Staying Alive Foundation, said: “At MTV Staying Alive Foundation, we see storytelling as both cultural work and care work. Through MTV Shuga Mashariki Season 2, we’re not only producing bold, authentic stories, we’re transforming how those stories are made.”
MTV Shuga is set in the lively world of campus life at Enkare University with the aim of sparking change among Kenya’s youth.
From script to screen, every storyline is grounded in local, youth-centred research and crafted to challenge restrictive norms and harmful social expectations that shape young people’s lives.
“This season, we are embedding wellness and psychosocial support into the fabric of our production, championing intimacy coordination, setting new standards for safety and gender equity in East African filmmaking. We want to create an ecosystem where care is intentional, creativity is protected and impact is felt just as much behind the camera as it is on screen,” adds Mitchelle Kimathi.
Additionally, Season 2 marks a significant milestone as MTV SAF partners with She Moves Africa Films, a women-led production company founded by award-winning producer and storyteller Dina Mwende.
The season also welcomes Janet Chumbe as one of the new directors, joining MTV Shuga Mashariki’s accomplished directorial team alongside June Ndinya, Mkaiwawi Mwakaba and Likarion Wainaina.
Dina Mwende is taking the reins as Series Producer for Season 2 after serving as Associate Producer in the first season. Dina has produced acclaimed projects such as acclaimed feature film ‘Nafsi’, ‘Makutano Junction’ TV Series and the documentary ‘With Grace’.
Speaking about her new role Dina says, “My heart found a home in stories that do more than entertain, stories that move people and challenge us to reimagine what future is possible for young people. Being able to develop content that not only entertains but also nurtures much-needed conversations on young people and the challenges they are facing is essential in being able to do this.”
