The *Real Househelps of Kawangware* comedy series made its grand return to KTN Home in November 2022 after a hiatus. Because, clearly, the world was desperate for more dramatic escapades of domestic workers in the Kawangware slums—who knew they had such riveting lives? Here’s hoping they didn’t just binge-watch episodes of themselves while waiting to be back on screen.
This delightful show doesn’t just follow the lives of domestic workers; it serves up a generous portion of chaos and humor as they deal with everything from errant employers to the very thrilling drama of petty slum life. Frankly, it’s a miraculous wonder that there aren’t more soap operas based on the gripping lives of househelps.
Enjoying these escapades is as easy as pie for the average Kenyan, especially since most people employ househelps at home. Oh, what relatable content! It’s almost as if you’ve got a front-row seat to watch the not-so-secret lives of your own household staff, minus the awkwardness of them knowing you’re browsing their Instagram accounts!
Meet the Comedic Cast of Characters
Our mix of seasoned comedians and fresh faces brings a delightful blend to the series. In addition to being comedy gold, they also provide valuable life lessons, like how to dodge an angry boss or come up with outrageous schemes to make a quick buck.
1. Winnie Rubi – Awiti
Winnie Rubi, aka Awiti, is the queen bee of bullying in the series. She’ll bulldoze you if you dare cross her path—on-screen, of course. Off the camera, she’s as humble as a goat at a petting zoo. Confident in her role, she once snagged KSh 150,000 in a Shabiki promotion. Talk about raising the stakes for the neighborhood bullies.
2. Bernice Njeri – Njambi
Next up is Bernice Njeri, aka Njambi, the ultimate heartthrob magnet. She has men swooning left and right while plotting her next outrageous money-making venture. After a long string of audition failures at the Kenya National Theatre, she finally found her stage in this show—proof that persistence does occasionally pay off, especially if entertainers can make a living from their soap opera shenanigans.
3. Leah Nkatha Mati – Nkirote
And here comes Leah Nkatha Mati, known affectionately as Nkirote. Naive and blissfully unaware, she always seems to land in hot water with her boss, who just can’t resist falling head over heels for her—it’s either love or an impending harassment lawsuit. Wrap that heavy Meru accent around a catchy tune, and you’ve got yourself an aspiring star. Perhaps a future collaboration with Ameru United is on the horizon, and it won’t just be in her dreams!
4. Alvince Kasuku
Then there’s Alvince Kasuku, who was previously seen gracing our screens as Ogolla. He’s attended all the right schools, including Kenyatta University—where they teach you everything you need to know about life, including how to act like you’ve got it all together. After a stint with Jicho 4 Productions, he moved up the comedy food chain and is now stealing scenes from the househelp community. Just don’t ask about his chemistry degree unless you’d like to hear his interpretation of comedic science!
5. Theophilus Abong III – Crotus
Last but not least, we have Crotus, played by Theophilus Abong III. He’s putting the ‘no-nonsense’ in no-nonsense tenants while eagerly trying to woo Nkirote, who conveniently finds him intolerable. At this point, it’s not so much a love story as it is an exercise in dodging despair.
What Happened to Njugush?
In a twist you didn’t see coming, the talented Timothy Kimani Ndegwa, aka Njugush, left the series in May 2016. Citing creative differences in scripting as his reason for vacating, he became the phoenix rising from the ashes, reinventing himself and growing his brand on social media. This transformation is what we call living *la dolce vita,* and it involves launching a clothing line that cleverly capitalizes on his newfound fame.
Catherine Kamau’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Meanwhile, Catherine Kamau, known to fans as Selina, was another iconic figure in *Real Househelps of Kawangware*. After bowing out as one of the series’ most beloved characters, she turned her acting chops toward entrepreneurship, starting an online lip care business. Who knew the secret to perfect lips came from the chaos of the Kawangware slums? Talk about multitasking!
