MTV Shuga Makes a Comeback With A Star-Studded Nairobi Premiere

The debut of MTV Shuga Mashariki at The Tamarind Brasserie in Nairobi on April 30, 2025, marked a significant return to Kenya for the venerable MTV Shuga franchise. 

The glitzy event, which was hosted by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, brought together partners, media, producers, actors, and crew for a first look at the show and an opportunity to interact with its creators.

The new season, which airs every Tuesday, will debut in Kenya on Citizen TV on May 13 at 11 PM EAT. Additionally, starting on May 14, it will be streamed on the MTV Shuga YouTube account and televised globally on BET. New episodes will air every Wednesday at 8 PM EAT.

Shuga Mashariki follows a group of students as they negotiate love, identity, mental health, and sexuality in a hyperconnected world set against the backdrop of Enkare University. The show bravely addresses themes that young people in Kenya experience in real life, such as consent, gender norms, financial independence, sexual and reproductive health, and the impact of social media.

The cast, which includes Serah Wanjiru, Basil Mungai, Matthew Ngugi, Wilson Muchemi, Fatuma Gichuru, Julie Brenda, Fridah Mumbe, Mariam Bishar, and Makena Kahuha, is a dynamic blend of new and old faces who all give genuine performances that heighten the series’ emotional effect.

Mitchelle Kimathi, Country Manager (Kenya), MTV Staying Alive Foundation, stated, “This is a uniquely Kenyan story, created by and for young people.” “Our goal is to provide relatable content that provokes thought-provoking discussions.”

With remarkable images created by renowned cinematographer Enos Olik, the series, which is directed by an all-Kenyan team consisting of June Ndinya, Mkaiwawi “Mkay” Mwakaba, and Likarion Wainaina, brings cinematic storytelling to the small screen. Multan project Limited’s Reuben Odanga brought the project to existence.

This eight-episode season, which was created as part of the Surround Sound Kenya Program, carries on MTV Shuga’s tradition as Africa’s top youth drama by fusing entertainment with social effect. Wame Jallow, Executive Director, said, “Shuga is a movement, not just a show. We want to have a lasting, positive influence on young people’s lives.

A pivotal question is raised in the first episode, which opens at Club Baze, where a wild night devolves into treachery, heartache, and decisions that alter one’s life.

MTV Shuga Mashariki promises to provoke thought, conversation, and change with its daring stories and realistic performances.