While the world has placed more emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), it has been proved that art is equally important. People who are passionate with arts have carved a niche for themselves in communication, media and the showbiz industry.
Kenya’s entertainment industry has become one of the booming multimillion sectors that has given rise to lucrative careers. Most actors and actresses have amassed millions of followers and have ended up bagging multimillion deals with established brands in advertisements.
WoK takes a look at some of the richest actors and actresses in Kenya.
Lupita Nyon’go
According to various sources, she is estimated to have a fortune of at least $10 million. Lupita was propelled into a global celebrity due to her role in 12 years a slave which enabled her to win an Academy Award as the best supporting actress.
The daughter of Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o was born in Mexico City where her father was employed as a lecturer. She holds a masters degree in acting from Yale School of Drama. Lupita is engaged to Selema Masekala, a television personality who has worked with various stations including ESPN and NBC.
John Sibi Okumu
John Sibi Okumu is simply a jack of all trades and is a former actor, TV host, author and teacher. He hails from Busia County and established footprints in the showbiz sector in the ’70s.
A young Okumu lived in both Kenya and the UK after relocating to Europe to stay with his father. However, he would later jet back and studied at Muthaiga Primary School where he was the best English speaker. Due to this, he was employed at the national broadcaster’s Kenya Schools Broadcasting Division. He continued with the role even after joining Lenana School.
Okumu honed his acting skills at Kenya National Theatre and played the role of Karuri in American film Born Free (1974). A year later, he acted in We are the Children, a movie which was filmed in Kenya’s Northern part.
Alongside the late Catherine Kasavuli and Raphael Tuju, the actor was part of the pioneer news anchors for KTN. Okumu is said to have landed a multimillion deal when he hosted the Zain African Challenge.
Edi Gathegi
Nick Mutuma
Mutuma is a renowned actor who impressed in his role in Tabasamu, a drama series that was aired on Citizen TV in 2008. Mutuma’s career became transcendent as later the same year he featured on Shuga, an MTV drama series.
Mutuma had a stint as a TV host for Mashariki Mix on Africa Magic. The 34 year old is said to have struck a multimillion partnership when he collaborated with Netflix to have his productions ‘Sincerely Daisy‘ and ‘Disconnect‘ appear on the platform.
Kenneth Gichoya (Njoro)
Largely known for his role of Njoro on local drama Papa Shirandula, Kenneth Gichoya is a man who used his earnings to invest wisely. This is after he was advised so by his mother.
“My mum used to push me to invest. She would tell me to buy land instead of a car. She told me one day I might look back and be shocked because I had nothing to show for it. Do not wait till you get a huge amount of money. Use the little money you have,” he said in a past interview.
Njoro owns prime property in Nairobi and Machakos including rental houses in Utawala and Ruai. He also owns a bar, hardware store and has invested in matatus.
