MTV Shuga Mashariki’s second season has been approved by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation

The second season of MTV Shuga Mashariki has been approved by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation (MTV SAF), and it was confirmed today that the next season will premiere in early 2026. This declaration follows a historic 2025 return season that enthralled youthful audiences and millions of viewers throughout Kenya and abroad.

The most recent season of MTV Shuga Mashariki, which was shown on BET in Kenya and abroad, continued the franchise’s tradition and was both entertaining and transformative, fusing daring storytelling with genuine Kenyan voices to create enduring impact. 

“The return of MTV Shuga Mashariki was more than a relaunch; it was a revival of authentic Kenyan storytelling that speaks directly to youth and some of the challenges that they face,” says Mitchelle Kimathi, Country Manager (Kenya) at MTV SAF. By using creative content to amplify the voices, realities, and aspirations of young Kenyans through compelling and relatable narratives told by homegrown creators, we are thrilled to continue telling daring stories that will enable traditionally awkward conversations to take place and challenge restrictive norms.

Serah Wanjiru, Basil Mungai, Matthew Ngugi, Fatuma Gichuru, Julie Brenda, Fridah Mumbe, Mariam Bishar, Makena Kahuha, and Wilson Muchemi were among the outstanding Kenyan cast members that appeared in the first season, solidifying MTV Shuga Mashariki as a showcase for up-and-coming talent as well as a defining cultural force.

The series has received over 2.8 million YouTube views and substantial social media engagement, including over 81,000 interactions on Instagram and TikTok, in addition to being aired nationally and internationally by BET. This shows how well MTV Shuga Mashariki connects with young people on digital platforms, where they already spend the majority of their time.

The Surround Sound Kenya Program, which aims to start a dialogue about gender norms and how they impact young people’s lives and outcomes, includes MTV Shuga Mashariki, which is produced by MTV SAF. Through this partnership, the show’s goal of promoting social change is strengthened by questioning constrictive gender conventions and capturing the realities faced by young Kenyans. The Sema Nami support chatbot, which enables young people to receive services while addressing their privacy concerns as they satisfy their needs, was launched to young audiences as part of this attempt and in response to the demand creation model that MTV Shuga operates within. The main issues that young people who interacted with Sema Nami faced were mental health, crisis help, gender-based violence, despair, and emotional distress.

At the same time, MTV SAF launched the 25Flow music initiative, which invites up-and-coming Kenyan musicians to submit their songs for consideration as part of the original soundtracks for MTV Shuga Mashariki season 2. The goal of this partnership with So Fresh, one of Kenya’s top local music producers, is to provide up-and-coming musicians with the chance to participate in a mentorship program before their songs are included in season two of the show.

“At the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, our mission has always been to use the power of storytelling to shift attitudes and inspire behavior change around critical health and social issues,” says Wame Jallow, Executive Director. In the upcoming season, we’re proud to have an outstanding Kenyan-led team of directors, cast, crew, and producers once again, reaffirming our commitment to stories that reflect the truths, challenges, and hopes of young people as they navigate their unique and frequently complex journeys. Through the MTV Shuga franchise, we’re not just entertaining, but also sparking conversations that have real, lasting impact,” the statement reads. 

Following a hiatus of over ten years, MTV Shuga’s 2025 relaunch in Kenya as MTV Shuga Mashariki was a cultural event that rekindled discussions on gender-based violence, love, ambition, peer pressure, sexual health, consent, and mental health and well-being. The program keeps addressing the most important topics that stem from young people’s everyday lives. 

MTV Shuga Mashariki has developed into an essential forum for enlightening and empowering youth while igniting important discussions on sexual and reproductive rights, justice, and health. Its Kenyan-driven production, which is based on real storytelling and youth-led insights, provides a replicable paradigm for igniting positive change. The second season, which will feature authentic stories written by and for Kenyan youth and feature MTV Shuga’s trademark dramatic and daring themes, will once again be produced exclusively in Kenya.

Fans have been watching season one again in recent months, excitedly guessing which directors and actors will be back. Production is expected to start later this year, and closed auditions are now being held to fill a few roles. As MTV Shuga Mashariki gets ready for its much awaited comeback to the screen, stay tuned for updates.