Showmax has announced The Mommy Club NBO, the fifth instalment of the record-breaking Mommy Club franchise, set to premiere this May.
Following successful editions in South Africa and Tanzania, The Mommy Club NBO will offer a glimpse into the lives of five affluent Kenyan mothers as they navigate the unique blend of parenting, ambition, and glamour in Nairobi.
Meet the moms:
Jackie Matubia is a Kalasha-nominated actress, digital content creator, and influencer.
The 34-year-old is the mother of two girls, Zari (9) and Zendaya (2), from different fathers.
She is open about her family dynamics, often sharing heartfelt messages to her children’s fathers on social media.
Despite public speculation surrounding her relationships, Jackie values family and strives for her daughters to have meaningful connections with their respective fathers and grandparents.
DJ Pierra Makena is a 43-year-old DJ and actress who shares a close bond with her charismatic daughter, Ricca (8).
Unfazed by societal expectations, Pierra remains unapologetic about being unmarried, despite her baby daddy’s marriage to someone else while she was pregnant.
Her interactions with Ricca, including candid conversations about life, offer a heartfelt glimpse into their life in the limelight.
Carey Priscilla is a 35-year-old digital creator, model, and founder of Carey Beauty School, with two branches in Nairobi. Married to Benitto, she is the mother of two sons and one daughter.
She shares the joys and challenges of balancing motherhood, business, and household responsibilities on social media.
Known for her humorous skits and TikTok posts with her husband, Carey recently made headlines by discussing her decision to ask her husband to get a vasectomy.
Lynne Njihia is a 23-year-old mother of one daughter and fiancée to comedian Eric Omondi.
Lynne is a brand influencer, content creator, commercial model, and dancer.
She candidly shares her journey through motherhood and post-pregnancy weight loss, connecting with a younger audience through her relatability and authenticity.
Ofentse Tsipa is a 36-year-old South African-born life coach living in Kenya with her Dutch husband and their two children, a son and a daughter.
Ofentse helps individuals worldwide manifest their dreams, improve financial decisions, and embrace self-discovery.
A student at United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa), she openly shares the joys and challenges of motherhood, marriage, and relationships through social media and her podcast, which reflects her perfectionist personality and life experiences.
She is also the sister of Shaka Ilembe’s Lemohang Tsipa.
“We are thrilled to bring The Mommy Club to Kenya and shine a light on the multifaceted lives of these remarkable women,” says Patricia Gichinga, Head of Production, M-Net. “The show celebrates motherhood in all its dimensions – from the joys and struggles of raising children to the pursuit of personal dreams – all set against the dynamic and vibrant culture of Nairobi.”
The Mommy Club NBO is produced by Eugene Mbugua’s D&R Studios, the creative force behind the hit reality show The Real Housewives of Nairobi.
The Showmax Premier League 5×5 tournament moves to the Coastal region on the 1st of next month for its third leg, kicking off a year full with excitement and amazing experiences for fans around the continent.
The action-packed first leg took place at the Kahawa Wendani Sports Arena in Nairobi, drawing crowds of passionate players and enthusiastic supporters for a day of fast-paced football and community spirit.
The momentum continued with the second leg in Kitengela on 22nd March, where local teams showcased their talent and football energy in another thrilling display of five-a-side action.
Last weekend, the tournament headed into its third leg, making its way to the Coastal region, with the “It’s Your Stadium on The Move” tour landing at Uwanja Wa Mbuzi, a FIFA-standard football stadium with artificial turf located in Kongowea.
Kicking off at 9:00 AM, the Mombasa edition delivered an unforgettable day of football fever.
The tournament continues to deliver on its promise ;celebrating the electric atmosphere of the English Premier League while providing a platform for local talent to shine.
The stakes were high, with a grand prize of Ksh 30,000 for the winning team and Ksh 20,000 for the runners-up. Teams went head-to-head in a friendly but fierce competition, united by their love for the beautiful game.
The Mombasa edition saw local teams Theta FC take the trophy home while Kidogo Basi FC took the second position.
This thrilling event is proudly powered by Safaricom and Multichoice, reinforcing their long-standing commitment to grassroots sports and community engagement.
More than just a football tournament, this initiative is part of Showmax’s ongoing mission to bring fans closer to the sport they love, both on-screen and off.
Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, Showmax continues to create immersive, real-life experiences that connect communities to world-class sports entertainment.
With Showmax as the home of the Premier League in Africa, the 5X5 Football Tournament stands as a bold celebration of fandom, skill, and football culture in Kenya.
Despite their hectic personal lives, four guys discover friendship, love, and tenacity in Nairobi’s concrete jungle in 4 Play, an 18-rated adult drama from Pepeta writers.
Set to premiere on Showmax on 21 November, 4Play stars Daniel Weke (Mali), AMVCA nominee Elsaphan Njora (Kati Kati, Twende), Maina wa Ndungu (Kina, Volume), and Kalasha winner Bilal Wanjau (Faithless) as Malik, Allan, Edu, and Michael, the four main leads.
Supporting this cast is renowned media personality and content creator Patricia Kihoro (Crime and Justice, Rafiki), singer and actress Habida Moloney (Zari), and Tracy Macharia (Big Girl Small World).
4Play, which was produced by James Kombo (Pepeta) through his production business CJ3 Entertainment, was directed for the first time by Mwangi Rurengo (Pepeta), Janet Chumbe (Faithless), and Country Queen editor Mkaiwai Mwakaba.
Produced by James Kombo (Pepeta) through his production company CJ3 Entertainment, 4Play is directed by Mwangi Rurengo (Pepeta), Janet Chumbe (Faithless), and Country Queen editor Mkaiwai Mwakaba, stepping into the director’s shoes for the first time.
Abigail Arunga, known for her work on Junior, Pepeta, and Lies that Bind serve as the head writer. The late Charles Ouda (Pepeta, Salem) also serves as a writer and the casting director for the show.
“A lot of TV stories out there today focus on the woman’s perspective, and with 4 Play I wanted to show the other side of the story—the man’s story,” says Kombo, “Thereby, capturing the challenges we face,and the things men are going through every day in Kenya. Having grown up in Nairobi, I also wanted to portray an authentic story through its nightlife, flashy lifestyle, and love life—that is part of Nairobi culture, and that is what this show represents. The stories of our four leads are highly relatable because we are talking about real things men encounter to survive.”
4 Play promises audiences a daring, seductive, and authentic depiction of modern Kenyan life, encapsulated in comedy, nightlife, and the essence of Nairobi’s gritty culture.
In equal measure, the show explores themes of friendship, family, ambition, love, and passion, vividly illustrating the highs and lows that characterize Nairobi.
“4 Play is different from any other project I have done before because I felt like I was allowed to express my creative voice, especially in portraying adult relationships and sensuality,” show co-creator Abigail Arunga adds.
“It was fun to write something that is about four Kenyan men just being themselves. We conceived the idea with Kombo around the same time as Pepeta. While Pepeta draws on real-life events, this show allowed me to delve into Nairobi’s pulse, exploring taboo themes like sex work, addiction, and what relationships mean here. There was a lot of room for imagination, and that is what makes this show so fresh and exciting.” concludes Abigael
The English Premier League will continue this weekend with round 9 fixtures set to be played between Friday and Sunday, with the climax being a clash in North London on Sunday evening as league leaders visit Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are eager to bounce back from a surprise defeat to Bournemouth, while Liverpool will be looking to extend their winning run.
This clash is set to be a thrilling battle between two
of the league’s most in-form teams.
Elsewhere, Manchester City will be aiming to maintain their title challenge against Southampton.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Premier League Showdown on Showmax – Catch All the Action Live!
Manchester United faces a tough test against West Ham, while Chelsea will be keen to get back to winning ways against Newcastle.
Times EAT Friday 25 October
22:00: Leicester City v Nottingham Forest Saturday 26 October
17:00: Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth
17:00: Brentford v Ipswich Town 17:00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers
17:00: Manchester City v Southampton
19:30: Everton v Fulham Sunday 27 October
17:00: Chelsea v Newcastle United
17:00: Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
17:00: West Ham United v Manchester United
19:30: Arsenal v Liverpool
Black & Blue, an original police-based mockumentary series, will premier on Showmax 6 November this year .
Enlisting a civilian as an Officer Commanding Station (OCS) is a daring attempt by the Kenyan Police to rebrand and improve their public image.
This new OCS is upending everything at the experimental pilot station by bringing a distinct civilian viewpoint to policing.
A documentary crew is sent in to accompany them and record the proceedings, but unintentionally exposes the underhanded activities the cops engage in while they struggle to implement the new regulations.
Gitura Kamau (Lusala), the champion of the Kalasha, plays the endearing OCS. Dennis Mutisya (Varshita, Shanghai), Mwajuma Belle (Poacher, The Call), Collins Koyo (Asha), Hillary Wamiti (Sense8), Andrew Ng’ang’a (Escape from Mogadishu), Annstella Karimi (Baba Twins, Sue na Jonnie), and Lawrence Kimani (Varshita, Njoro wa Uba) are among the gifted ensemble cast members.
Under the direction of Abdi Shuria and King “Mushking” Muriuki (who also directed the Showmax Original films Igiza and Faithless), Black & Blue is produced by Yare Picture Studio.
“The idea for Black & Blue came to me as I reflected on my numerous interactions with the Kenyan police, which, in the past, have not always been positive,” says Shuria. “I have always believed that where there is tragedy, there is also humor. For me, humor is cathartic – it’s like stress relief. I asked myself, ‘How can I take these negative experiences and inject humor into them as a tool to explore, discuss, and entertain?’ The mockumentary format allowed us to explore the world of Kenyan policing in a lighthearted and entertaining way while still shedding light on everyday topics.”
Black & Blue is the ninth Showmax Original series released in Kenya in 2024, following the success of recent titles such as reality show Nai-Rich and Kenya’s first sci-fi series, Subterranea.
Catch Black & Blue exclusively on Showmax from 6 November 2024, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Be prepared for laughs, surprises, and a one-of-a-kind look at policing through a lens you’ve never seen before.
Showmax has revealed its action-packed tantalizing October movies and series lineup for Kenyan viewers and a host of classics which are making a return to create a nostalgia.
The most popular films on the list are suspenseful thrillers and action flicks, including Hacks, the Best Comedy Emmy winner, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and Five Nights at Freddy’s.
Frozen movie
Ghostbusters’ Frozen Empire, which will be available for streaming on Showmax starting on October 28, is one of the top 15 blockbuster films of the year.
It teams up the Spengler family with the original Ghostbusters, who have established a top-secret research lab to further the art of ghost-busting. The movie returns the Spengler family to the legendary New York City firehouse, where it all began.
Ghostbusters from the past and present must band together to prevent a second Ice Age from occurring when the discovery of an antiquated artifact summons an army of ghosts that sends shivers down the spine of the city.
As the highest-grossing horror film of the previous year worldwide, Five Nights at Freddy’s is available for streaming starting on Monday, October 14.
Five Nights at Freddy’s, which is produced by Blumhouse (M3GAN, Get Out), centers on Mike, a disturbed young man who looks after his sister Abby, age ten.
In an attempt to maintain custody of Abby after being dismissed, Mike accepts a job as a night security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, an abandoned theme restaurant.
However, Mike quickly learns that everything at Freddy’s is not what it seems as he is pulled into the horrific core of a nightmare that is beyond description.
Another intriguing film, THE NUN II, will be available for streaming starting on Thursday, October 31.
The global blockbuster film’s follow-up follows Sister Irene as she confronts Valak, the demon nun and the main antagonist of The Conjuring universe, once more.
Emmy winner Storm Reid (The Last of Us, Euphoria) plays Sister Debra, while Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) plays Sister Irene. Bonnie Aarons returns as the demon nun.
From a script co-written by Akela Cooper (M3GAN), Michael Chaves (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) directs. One of the producers is James Wan, who directed The Conjuring at the beginning.
This year, The Nun II was shortlisted for ten Golden Scythe Horror Awards, including a Visual Effects Society Award, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Actress (Farmiga), and Supporting Actress (Reid).
Monkey Man, the SXSW 2024 Audience Award winner, stars Oscar contender Dev Patel (Lion, Slumdog Millionaire) as Kid, a man seeking revenge against the corrupt politicians who killed his mother and who victimize the weak and impoverished on a regular basis.
The film will be available for streaming starting on October 28.
Rotten Tomatoes gives Monkey Man an 89% rating from critics, while Time Out called it “possibly the most ferocious mainstream action movie since The Raid.”
The movie will stream from October 28th.
Monkey Man has an 89% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with Time Out hailing it as “possibly the most ferocious mainstream action movie since The Raid.”
THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER | Thursday, October 17, live stream
A little more than 50 years have passed since the release of what is perhaps the scariest horror movie ever, scaring viewers worldwide and earning the first-ever horror Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
The Exorcist: Believer, from Blumhouse (Get Out, M3GAN) and filmmaker David Gordon Green (who brought the Halloween property back to life), is now available.
SAW X | Thursday, October 31, live stream
A sick and desperate John travels to Mexico for a risky experimental medical treatment between the events of SAW I and II in the hopes of receiving a miracle cure for his disease.
However, he finds out the entire operation is a scam to deceive the most vulnerable. Equipped with a renewed determination, the notorious serial murderer resumes his activities, utilizing his distinctive style to subvert the con artists.
The Arthur the King broadcast will launch on Monday, October 14
In the gripping true story of the unshakable friendship that developed between professional adventure racer Michael Light (played by Oscar contender Mark Wahlberg) and a tenacious street dog named Arthur, who followed the team over 700 kilometers during a demanding 10-day endurance race, Arthur the King is told.
The film is directed by BAFTA winner Simon Cellan Jones (Years and Years, Our Friends in the North) and is based on the book Arthur – The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home by real-life adventure racer Mikael Lindnord.
Classics movies as well as series are making a return this October on Showmax including:
No Country For Old Men, which started streaming from 3 October: Set in the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong, No Country For Old Men won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Directing and Writing for the Coen brothers, and Best Actor for Javier Bardem.
The Crow, which returns from 17 October: 30 years before the Bill Skarsgård version, Brandon Lee starred as The Crow, tragically dying on the set of what became a cult classic.
Ip Man (starting October 28) Ip Man, which takes place during the Japanese invasion of China, draws inspiration from the life of Bruce Lee’s real-life instructor.
According to the consensus of critics, the multi-award winning martial arts classic has an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It is described as “one of the most exciting – and refreshingly character-driven – martial arts films in years” and is “at once beholden to the established conventions of the genre and delightfully subversive of them.”
HACKS S3 | Showmax Premiere | Start Binge on Friday, October 11 Hacks S3, which won the Emmy for Best Comedy this year, resumes with Deborah Vance feeling quite successful after her stand-up special, while Ava looks for fresh possibilities back in Los Angeles.
Hacks has already received a fourth renewal. PENGUIN S1 | Mondays through November 11 Oz Cobb, aka The Penguin, tries to take control of Gotham’s criminal underworld after the events of The Batman.
The Penguin, which is helmed by Craig Zobel, a nominee for an Emmy (Mare of Easttown), has Colin Farrell in a role that is unrecognizable, together with Cristin Milioti, winner of the Critics Choice Super Award (Palm Springs, Made for Love, Fargo), as Sofia Falcone.
INDUSTRY S3 | Premieres on Showmax | Mondays through October 14 HBO has renewed Industry for a fourth season, since the show’s viewership grew to 1.6 million on average per episode, approximately 40% more than that of S2.
Kenyan Showmax Original telenovela Second Family is coming back for a fiery second season on 14 September, with new episodes released every Thursday and Friday.
Picking up from where Season 1 left off, the cutthroat struggle for control of the lucrative milling company EAGC continues, with the stakes even higher after an old patriarch rises from the dead. Meanwhile, the Syndicate, made up of businessmen who run the country, makes even more bold moves to secure their interests.
Leo’s (played by Ian Mbugua) absence has wreaked unimaginable havoc on his family and friends. His eldest, Tehi, fresh out of jail, contemplates his next step as the head of the Gatehi-Langat family after walking his sister Gigi down the aisle. Gigi, having just pledged her life to her father’s protege, Cyrus, hides a scandalous secret.
Shei, now aware of her heritage, looks to hide the truth from her family, while Sinde, now at the helm of EAGC, is ready to unleash her wrath on the Gatehi-Langats, whom she blames for her misfortunes.
When tragedy strikes, Leo, the man who set off this chain of events, returns from the “dead”. Soon, his family and friends realise that they are not dealing with the man they once knew, and they must navigate new family dynamics and vicious succession battles, where victory belongs to those willing to get their hands dirty, and when needed, bloody.
Dora Nyaboke returns as the ever-devilish Evangeline, Nick Ndeda as the Gatehi-Langat black sheep, Tehi, Brian Ogola as Evangeline’s ambitious partner in crime, Cyrus, and Vanessa Okeyo as Leo’s once-likely successor, Sinde. Also making a comeback in Season 2 are Mumbi Maina as Katherine, Stephanie Muchiri as Gigi, Brain Abajah as Joel, Serah Wanjiru as Shei, Lewis Leshan as Bett, Florence Nduta as Dora, Derek Bbanga as Kiilu, Joyce Musoke as Lizzy, Sheila Ndanu as Dr Masinde and Mary Mwikali as Carole Marie.
The most exciting thing about developing the story for the second season of Second Family has been the “sharp change of direction,” from Season 1, says Season 2 showrunner, Mkamzee Mwatela. “We’re throwing challenges at the characters and watching them respond. They’re real people to us now, and all of them are struggling so hard just to get through life, sometimes just to get through the day. It’s exciting coming up with solutions to seemingly impossible problems ranging from love, business and family to the characters’ inner worlds. It’s amazing how you can write characters that can endure things you can’t in ways that you wish you could.
“I think at some point viewers will be screaming at their TV ‘What is wrong with you?’ because the characters are making so many questionable decisions,” Mkamzee adds. “Also, some interesting characters will be ‘rising’ and we’ll be introducing some new characters just to stir the pot a little. We hope to leave a trail of fire this season.”
Second Family S2 is produced by Live Eye TV, and directed by Edwin Kamau (Crime and Justice) and King Muriuki (Igiza, Faithless).
Premiering this weekend on Netflix on Friday, the film stars Jamie Foxx, John Boyega and Teyona Parris. The film follows the trio as they fall down a rabbit hole as they try to grapple with a nefarious government conspiracy.
The third season of “Sweet Magnolias” debuts this weekend. The series revolves around lifelong South Carolina best friends Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue juggling romantic relationships, family and careers.
Taking the title of Netflix’s first African animation, the Zambian set story is a great watch for the whole family. Read all about it.
In case you missed it in theatres
It’s a well-known fact that not all movies are available to watch in Kenyan cinemas and sometimes, even if they’re available, there isn’t enough time to watch them. Here’s a list of theatre releases debuting on streaming (Showmax Kenya) this weekend.
Halloween Ends brings one of the all-time highest-grossing horror franchise to its epic, terrifying conclusion as Laurie Strode faces off for the last time against the embodiment of evil, Michael Myers.
The Swearing Jar tells Carey’s story: a musician and teacher who throws a birthday concert for her husband, which plunges her into the past. Through romance, music and memory, we follow the story of Carey and Simon’s relationship, the birth of their child, and the lie that threatens to ruin it all.
Based on a true story, the crime comedy-drama Bandit stars 10-time Teen Choice nominee Josh Duhamel (The Thing About Pam, Shotgun Wedding, Transformers) as Gilbert Galvan Jr. (aka The Flying Bandit), a charming career criminal who went on a record-breaking spree of 59 bank heists across Canada with an increasingly frustrated police task force on his tail.
