The MTV Staying Alive Foundation (SAF) has unveiled the core production team for MTV Shuga Mashariki as filming begins ahead of its May 2025 premiere.
MTV Shuga launched in Kenya in 2009 featuring a star-studded cast that included Lupita Nyong’o, Valerie Kimani, Nick Mutuma, Brenda Wairimu and Avril for its first two seasons. The series then expanded to Nigeria and South Africa, cultivating a new fanbase with Shuga Naija (S3, S4 and S6) and Shuga Down South (S5 and S7). It also introduced Shuga Babi, a French-language season in Côte d’Ivoire. Now in 2025, the coming-of-age drama returns to Kenya after 15 years, featuring a fresh ensemble of young Kenyan actors.
Across all its iterations, the series follows the lives of young people as they navigate their sexual health, relationships and family issues, against a backdrop of a bustling city.
This new Kenyan edition will be helmed by three Kenyan directors Likarion Wainaina, June Ndinya and Mkaiwawi Mwakaba. Wainaina is known for directing Supa Modo, Kenya’s first superhero film, which won over 50 international awards. In 2024, Wainaina directed Showmax’s Subterranea, Kenya’s first sci-fi series that follows eight participants in a psychological experiment gone wrong. Ndinya’s works include the 2024 coming-of-age drama Prefects and the teen cybersecurity series Flash Squad. Mwakaba, a seasoned film editor (Nairobi Half Life, Country Queen), has transitioned into directing with projects such Makosa ni Yangu and Showmax steamy comedy-drama 4Play.
“We are particularly proud to have two female directors on board, whose perspectives are crucial in shaping how themes affecting young women and girls are portrayed on the show,” says MTV Staying Alive Foundation Country Manager Mitchelle Kimathi. “Their contributions allow us to highlight these challenges with nuance, empathy and depth.”
MTV Shuga Mashariki will be produced by Reuben Odanga under his company Multan Multan Production Limited. Odanga has produced and directed the long-running Kalasha-winning telenovela Selina, Kenya’s first Christmas feature A Familiar Christmas, cinema hit Nafsi, and most recently, Netflix series Mo-Faya.
Enos Olik completes this creative quintet as the project’s cinematographer. Olik is known for his work on Supa Modo, Showmax’s police procedural Crime and Justice, Netflix’s short film anthology Anyango and the Ogre and Fakii Liwali’s thriller 40 Sticks.
“MTV Shuga Mashariki is a celebration of Kenyan talent and storytelling, and we are thrilled to have a fully local team leading the way. This season reflects our commitment to challenging gender norms and empowering the youth,” says MTV Staying Alive Foundation Executive Director Wame Jallow.
