From the producer of Selina, comes Lazizi, a new telenovela set to debut this October on Maisha Magic Plus.
By Peace Muthoka.
From the producer of Selina, comes Lazizi, a new telenovela set to debut this October on Maisha Magic Plus.
A Multan Production, Lazizi follows Mark Mbotela (played by Mwaniki Mageria), a mogul in the sugarcane business whose ambition lead him to vie for the Governor’s seat not for glory, but for protection. As his ghosts from the past resurface, Mark’s polished image begins to unravel. A dangerous love affair, buried secrets, and intense family rivalries all threaten to expose his darkest truths.
“I was heavily inspired by the flora and fauna of this country, especially the beautiful landscapes of Muhoroni which I recall from my school days,” said Producer Reuben Odanga. “I wanted to tell a story from that region, something we haven’t done before. It felt right to give the people there a story that would be closer to home and very relatable.”
“We have fused a strong telenovela aspect, which is anchored in realism, with a very dramatic side to the project. We are also infusing Swahili, English, and Luo languages to make it even more relatable to the local audience,” Odanga added.
Margaret Mathore, Channel Head, Maisha Magic Plus, said: “We are excited to continue showcasing compelling local stories that resonate with our audiences. Lazizi is another testament to our investment in Kenya’s creative industry. Just like Selina, we are confident the show will captivate viewers and affirm the strength of homegrown productions on our platforms.”
Meet the cast:
- Mwaniki Mageria (The Chocolate Empire)is Mark Mbotela: Mark comes from a humble background which fuels his ambitions. He is vying for a gubernatorial position.
- Jackie “Wilbroda” Nyaminde (Country Queen) is Amina: Mark Mbotela’s ex and baby mama with whom they had a son, Shaffie. She is an alcoholic struggling with depression due to abandoning Shaffie.
- Hellen Keli (Single Kiasi) is Bridget Mbotela: Mark’s controlling wife and mother to his stepson, Richard. She feels entitled to the family fortune and is grooming Richard to take over the business.
- Isaac Okoyo (Reckless) is Shaffie Mbotela: Mark’s free-spirited son that is born out of his affair with Amina. He constantly feels like an outsider and yearns for a father’s understanding; he finds himself having a complicated relationship with women and is hedonistic.
- Zandie Andika (Sky Girls – Born to Fly) is Richard Mbotela: Mark’s stepson who as the Operations Manager at the Mbotela Sugar Factory and is being groomed to take over the company after Mark.
- Evelyne Gitonga (One in a Million) is Natasha: Richard’s girlfriend. Despite being in love with him, her love is unrequited.
- Vivian Nyawira (Njoro wa Uba) is Sophie: Amina’s daughter and Shaffie’s half-sister. Having grown up with an alcoholic and depressed mother, she learned at a young age to only rely on herself to get things done.
- Joel Otukho (Country Queen) is Juma: He is a Factory Manager at Mbotela’s factory. He is loyal to Mark and has a soft spot for Amina. Having worked with the family and company for many years, he is privy of information that could be used against them.
Lazizi also features YouTuber and content creator Clare Karatu (Pishi Bomba), Michael Odhiambo (Tahidi High) and thespian Samson Omondi (Salem).
The show is directed by Odanga alongside June Ndinya (MTV Shuga) and Davis Nato while Clifford Okumu (Pete) serves as head writer supported by Joseph Akwiri, Wanjau Wachira (Selina), Mitchell Gitonga and Lucia Shikuku (Makutano Junction).
Lazizi premieres on Monday, 6 October at 20:00 exclusively on Maisha Magic Plus (DStv Channel 163 / GOtv Channel 3), airing every Monday to Friday.
