Kenyan Films and TV Shows Releasing in 2026, So Far

One of the recurring challenges of reporting on Kenya’s film and TV industry is that information on upcoming projects isn’t always readily available. This makes it difficult to keep track of what’s in the pipeline, prepare audiences, and generate anticipation ahead of release.

This year, Sinema Focus is introducing something new: a living list tracking Kenyan films and TV shows, across genres and formats, set to release in 2026. We’ll continue updating this list as new projects are confirmed, offering a clearer picture of what audiences can expect from the year ahead.

Kikuyu Land (Documentary feature)

The documentary follows a Nairobi-based journalist whose investigation into a land dispute involving the local government and a powerful multinational corporation unravels buried wounds and family secrets.

Kikuyu Land is directed by Bea Wangondu and Andrew H. Brown, and produced by Moses Bwayo (Bobi Wine: The People’s President), Mike Morrisroe, and Joseph Njenga.

The film will make its world premiere in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, which runs from 22 January to 1 February. It is one of three African titles premiering at the festival, alongside Nigeria’s Lady (World Cinema Dramatic Competition) and South Africa’s Troublemaker (World Cinema Documentary Competition).

Kito (Football drama series)

In Kito, a talented young footballer is pulled back into the game he loves and a life he thought he had escaped after his mother’s tragic death.

Directed by Morrison Mwadulo (Kina), the series stars Rogers Otieno (The Agency), Tobit Tom (Volume), Vanessa Okeyo (Second Family), and newcomers Joan Kenduywa (Hollow), Prince Jude (Lulu), Isaac Juma, Anastasia Kirathe (Neema) and Michael Sanchez Voiya.

Kito is created by Tosh Gitonga (Volume), who also serves as the executive producer, with Winnie Adisa (Mo-Faya) producing.

The series premiered on 9 January on Citizen TV and airs every Friday and Saturday at 8:00PM EAT, with episodes also available on YouTube via Co-operative Bank Kenya.

Get more details about Kito here.

Mizani (Drama-thriller)

Set in Mombasa’s criminal underbelly, Mizani follows a journalist who goes up against a powerful, politically backed organ trafficking ring to save his kidnapped daughter. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a web of corruption, power plays, and shocking secrets.

The series stars Michael Saruni (The Chocolate Empire), Stephanie Maseki (Mkasi), Kieth Chuaga (Jiji), Bhavnesh Chudasama (Subterranea), Jack Mutinda (It’s A Free Country), Denis Humphrey (Sultana), Anita Wawuda (Jiji), Reinhard Inzai Bonke (Kam U Stay), Mehul Malde (Crime & Justice), Kathleen McKenzie (Maria), Ashik Ali (Zari), Mariam Mzee (Sultana), Patrick Owino (Zari), Victor Opondo (Mvera), and Nima Kubo (Karata).

Mizani is produced by Daudi Anguka, expanding on the organ tracking theme introduced in his debut feature and Kenya’s 2024 Oscar submission, Mvera. The series is directed by Janet Chumbe (4Play), Eric Mdagaya (Mkasi), Isaya Evans (Reckless) and Bill Jones Afwani (18 Hours), who also serves as writer alongside Brian Munene (Subterranea), Ambat Rioba Mann (Jiji), and Kevin Amakobe.

Mizani premieres on Showmax on 5 February.

MTV Shuga Mashariki S2 (Coming-of-age youth drama series)

Set against the vibrant backdrop of campus life at the fictional Enkare University, MTV Shuga Mashariki season two continues to follow the lives of its young cast as they navigate sexual health, relationships, and family issues.

Serah Wanjiru (Volume), Basil Mungai (Click Click Bang), Matthew Ngugi (Mo-Faya), Wilson Muchemi, Fatuma Gichuru, Julie Brenda Nyambura (Kina), Fridah Mumbe (Jiji), Renee Gichuki, and Mwende King’ori (Salem), and Brian Kabugi (Volume) will reprise their roles.

They’re joined by new cast members Vanessa Okeyo (Tuki), Marima Wanjiru (Maisha Makutano), Natalia Kyalo (A Better Life), Jenny Muigai, Amalie Chopetta (The Chocolate Empire), Beatrice Kamuyu (Faithless), Eunice Kamau, and Tanzania’s Talie Gray (The Christmas Run). 

MTV Shuga Mashariki S2 premieres on 10 February on Citizen TV and on YouTube via MTV Shuga’s official channel on 11 February.

Read more about MTV Shuga Mashariki S2 here.

She Gets Me (Romantic comedy feature)

From Kibanda Pictures, comes the Valentine’s Day treat She Gets Me, written by Brian Munene (Subterranea) and directed by Millicent Ogutu (The Caller).

The romantic comedy follows a Joe Kinyua (Njoro wa Uba) and Angela Mwandanda (County 49) as Nairobi couple whose chance meeting sparks an intense connection built on laughter, shared frustrations, and emotional intimacy. As romance gives way to marriage and family life, small miscommunications grow into deep fractures shaped by gender roles, financial pressure, and unmet emotional needs. When love collapses into divorce, both must confront the uncomfortable truth that understanding each other was never the problem, listening was.

She Gets Me premieres at the Kenya National Theatre on 11 February 2026.

Tides (Musical drama feature)

Reuben Odanga returns as writer and director with Tides (working title), his third feature film following the 2021 drama Nafsi and Kenya’s first Christmas feature, A Familiar Christmas.

While details are still under wraps, Odanga describes Tides as “a musical drama” and “a bold and emotionally charged film set in contemporary Kenya, exploring generational conflict, forbidden love, and social conservatism.”

Currently in post-production, Tides is set to release in 2026.

Anam’s Wake (Psychological horror feature)

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Anam’s Wake is a psychological thriller written and directed by Likarion Wainaina, known for Supa Modo and Kenya’s first sci-fi series Subterranea.

Currently in post-production, the film stars Gathoni Mutua (Single Kiasi), Peter Kawa (County 49), Marima Wanjiru (MTV Shuga Mashariki), Vanessa Aika (Tuki), Samson Omondi (Tuki), Ruth Olielo (Salem) and Brenda Ngeso (Mpakani).

Anam’s Wake is set to release in 2026, with no specific date announced yet.

Truck Mama (Documentary feature)

Truck Mama premiered in competition at the Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The film is expected to continue screening at more international festivals, with a Kenyan premiere also anticipated in 2026.

Directed by Zippy Nyaruri, Truck Mama follows a single mother and truck driver in Kenya navigating dangerous roads to provide for her family. In a male-dominated industry, she balances long hauls, calls to her children and daily challenges.

Truck Mama, whose journey began in 2011 at the now seemingly inactive Lola Kenya Screen film forum, has undergone a long and patient development process supported by a series of labs, film funds and markets including the Durban Film Mart, Docubox, IDFA Forum, Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs Fund and the Red Sea Film Foundation.

Goat (Supernatural folk thriller short)

In 2025, Judy Kibinge returned to directing after more than a decade with Goat, a supernatural folk thriller starring Sheila Munyiva (Country Queen) and Brian Ogola (Lusala).

The story follows city lovebirds Suki and Benjamin who travel to a remote goat farm where Suki soon realises the ancient Mugumo tree is demanding she pay back a debt she didn’t even realize she was carrying.

Goat premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival in New York in October 2025, and will make its Kenyan premiere in 2026.

Read more about Goat here.

Safari (Drama feature)

Filmed across Kenya and Nigeria, Safari unfolds as a cross-cultural drama of love, betrayal, and moral reckoning. It follows the disenchanted wife of a Nigerian senator, who, amid her husband’s presidential campaign and marital issues, travels to Kenya for a vacation.

Against the backdrop of Kenya’s scenic beauty and Nigeria’s political tension, what begins as a peaceful escape soon spirals out of control when she becomes entangled with a local beach boy accused of the murder of a British tourist.

Led by Osas Ighodaro (King of Boys), the Nigerian cast also features Ali Nuhu (The Trade) and Jide Kene Achufusi (Out of Breath). The Kenyan cast includes Emmanuel Mugo (Big Girl Small World, Jiji) leads a local ensemble including Ken Ambani (A Better Life), Helen Keli (Single Kiasi), Stuart Nash (Pepeta), and Joel Otukho (Lazizi

The Kenyan-Nigerian production is directed by Nigerian filmmaker Obi Emelonye (The Mirror Boy, Last Flight to Abuja) who also co-produces alongside Kenya’s Reuben Odanga (Nafsi, Mo-Faya).

Already released in Nigeria in 2025, Safari is expected to premiere in Kenya in 2026.

Read more about Safari here.

One Woman One Bra (Drama feature)

Another Kenyan-Nigerian co-production, One Woman One Bra marks the feature debut of writer-director Vincho Nchogu and is produced by Nigeria’s Josh Olaoluwa.

The film follows a 38-year-old woman in the village of Sayit, whose fight to secure her home amid land reforms leads her on a search for identity, kinship and belonging that pits her against her own community.

The cast includes Sarah Karei (Sarah), Irungu Mutu (Power), Norng’aruani Kipuker, Amos Leuka, Boniface Saitabau, and Davina Leonard (Poacher).

One Woman One Bra premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival before screening at BFI London, where it won the Sutherland Award for Best First Feature. A Kenyan premiere is expected in 2026.

Bus 338 (Survival thriller feature)

In 2025, Serah Ndanu launched her production company SNT Productions, and with it, Bus 338 – her first feature as producer.

Directed by Isaya Evans (Grogan’s Lodge) from a script by Angela Ruhinda (Binti), Bus 338 follows passengers on a lonely highway who must fight to survive when criminals hijack their bus. It stars Ndanu, Bilal Mwaura (40 Sticks), Robert Agengo (Country Queen), Pascal Tokodi (Makosa ni Yangu) and Godfrey Odhiambo (Crime and Justice).

Originally scheduled for a Kenyan release first in 2025, the film instead premiered in the UK, debuting in London and Manchester. It is now set to premiere in Kenya in 2026.

Read more about Bus 338 here.

Giza Visuals slate:

Jua Na Mwezi (Coming-of-age / Family drama feature)

A tender coming-of-age story, Jua na Mwezi follows 16-year-old Hawi as she navigates an identity crisis in the Kenyan highlands. Produced with support from Africa No Filter, filming wrapped in December 2025 and the feature is currently in post-production ahead of its planned November 2026 release.

Nje (Sci-fi short)

Nje is an atmospheric short set in a dystopian Kenya where corporations rule walled-off cities. Funded by Docubox, the film explores corporate greed, loyalty and technology. Filming is set to begin between February and March 2026 with a release slated for late 2026, according to director Omar Hamza.

Itifaki (Spy thriller feature)

Currently in development, Itifaki is Giza Visual’s first espionage project. The story follows a reluctant ex-KDF soldier forced into a dangerous race against time, torn between loyalty and justice. A short version of the film won two Kalasha Awards in 2024 and received an AMVCA nomination the same year.

Qahar (Film–Mini-series hybrid, Somali co-production)

According to Giza Visuals, Qahar blends the cinematic power of film with the scope of a mini-series, exploring how far people will go to survive. Currently in development, Qahar is a collaborative project between Giza and Somali’s Aro’or Films.

For more new releases in 2026 across platforms, see our What to Watch in Kenya guide.

Do you have a project releasing in 2026? Reach out to us with news tips, exclusives, or early details at editorial@sinemafocus.com.

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