Dennis Humphrey on fame, Mizani, and telling Kenya’s Untold Stories

Many Kenyan viewers remember Dennis Humphrey for his breakout role as Kaka in Rashid Abdalla’s hit drama Sultana — a performance that quickly catapulted him into national fame. The character was so impactful that fans still fondly refer to him as Kaka to this day.

Now, the Kalasha Award-winning filmmaker and actor returns to television as Malo in Daudi Anguka’s gripping crime drama Mizani, currently airing on Showmax and Maisha Magic Plus, alongside Michael Saruni and Keith Chuaga.

Off-screen, however, Dennis is a striking contrast to the intense characters he portrays. The Mombasa-born actor is an introverted storyteller — a scriptwriter, filmmaker, and creative deeply passionate about truth-driven African narratives.

In this exclusive interview, Dennis Humphrey opens up about his journey into fame, his Kalasha Award wins, African storytelling, and his return to the small screen.

You are an award-winning filmmaker and won two Kalasha Awards in 2021. Tell us about that experience.

Winning two Kalasha Awards in 2021 was surreal. I was still in my mid-20s, fresh in the industry, and had just released my first short film, Fikirini, which I produced and wrote. I didn’t expect it — not even close.

What stayed with me most was the feedback. People truly saw and understood the story. My mother was proud, and everyone who believed in the project felt validated. We worked extremely hard, and when God puts His hand on something, it shows. That moment was unforgettable.

Many people know you as an actor, but you’ve built a strong career behind the scenes. Tell us about that side of your journey.

Writing is where everything began. I’ve been a professional scriptwriter for about five years, working with major production companies in Kenya. Through writing, I discovered new dimensions of acting, which pushed me to explore performance seriously.

After Sultana, I balanced acting, scripting, and producing my own films. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m learning how to manage it all. Storytelling is my true calling.

What inspires you about Daudi Anguka, from one filmmaker to another?

Watching Daudi grow and lift the Mombasa creative flag higher is inspiring. He shows young people that success is possible. He doesn’t just succeed and move on — he reaches back and guides others. When someone from your background makes it, you begin to believe you can too.

What does the future of African storytelling look like?

The future lies in authenticity — real, human stories. There are countless narratives in our communities that haven’t been explored. Some stories I’m working on have only existed in documentaries, not fiction films. Even our historical legends like Kaya Bombo and Nabongo remain largely untold on screen. We don’t always need to invent worlds — sometimes we just need to observe our surroundings.