Maisha Magic, Showmax titles top Kalasha Awards 2020 with 14 nominations

The Kalasha Awards 2020 nominees were unveiled yesterday by the Kenya Film Commission, and like previous years, titles on Maisha Magic East and Maisha Magic Plus, which also air on Showmax, led with 14 nominations.

Speaking on the news, Maisha Magic Head of Channel, Margaret Mathore, said these nominations further affirm MultiChoice’s commitment to supporting local content through quality production. “We are living up to the brand’s promise of being truly Kenyan, and also living up to our deliberate strategy to develop, improve and invest in the independent film industry in Kenya.”

She added: “We thank the Kenyan fans for continuing to watch our shows, for supporting us and for affirming us as a worthy player in the local entertainment space.”

And the nominees on Maisha Magic and Showmax are…

In the Television Category, Reuben Odanga’s Swahili telenovela Selina is nominated again for Best TV Drama. This is the third time that Selina, one of Kenya’s most-watched TV shows, has been nominated in this category, after winning both in 2018 and 2019.

Selina is up against other beloved telenovelas like Daudi Anguka’s Pete, nominated for a second time for Best TV Drama and Best Lead Actor for Leon Ongaya. Other nominees are popular newcomers Kovu, nominated for Best TV Drama and Best Lead Actress for Trisha Khalid; and Citizen TV’s Maria, which leads with a nomination trifecta – Best TV Drama, Best Lead Actor (Brian Ogana) and Best Lead Actress (Yassmin Said).

While it’s a tough competition ahead for all these nominees, perhaps most interesting will be to see which of Rashid Abdalla’s productions triumphs between Maria and Kovu.

Stream the 2020 Kalasha nominees online

Other contenders in the Best Lead Actress category include Alice Wangari (Kina) and Riziki Ambrose (NTV’s Pieces of Us, which is also available to stream on Showmax).

In the comedy category, Nyanya Rukia, which won Best TV Comedy and Best Performance in a TV Comedy in 2019, is up against Hullabaloo Estate and Varshita, which just kicked off a brand new season 5, in the same categories. 

Also nominated for the second time is Amina Abdi Rabar for Best Host in a TV Show (The Turn Up).

List of all nominees on Maisha Magic and Showmax:

Best TV Drama

• Pete
• Selina
• Kovu

Best Lead Actress in a TV Drama

• Trisha Khalid – Kovu
• Alice Wangari – Kina
• Riziki Ambrose – Pieces of Us

Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama

• Leon Ongaya – Pete

Best TV Comedy

• Varshita
• Hullabaloo Estate
• Nyanya Rukia

Best Performance in a TV Comedy

• Mukami Njiru – Varshita
• Matayo Keya – Hullabaloo Estate
• Eve D’Souza – Varshita
• Fahamu Kazungu – Nyanya Rukia

Best Host in a TV Show

• Amina Abdi Rabar – The Turn Up

See full list of all Kalasha Awards 2020 nominees here.