Veteran actor Helen Keli spills on playing Delilah on Single Kiasi S4

From a humble chorus girl to one of Kenya’s most compelling stage and screen performers, Helen Keli has carved out a legacy defined by talent, grit, and artistic evolution.

Today, she stands as a powerhouse in the Kenyan entertainment industry .

Renowned for her magnetic presence and unmatched versatility, Keli began her career under the mentorship of the late theatre legend James Falkland. Since then, she has graced iconic productions from Pirates of Penzance to Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.

In 2024, she delivered one of her most talked-about performances yet in Elements, a one-woman show written by John Sibi Okumu and directed by multi-award-winning Wakio Mzenge.

Her television work is equally impressive, with credits in Changes, Selina, Second Family, and the upcoming Kenyan–German film Mercy.

Currently, Helen Keli lights up the screen as Delilah in Season 4 of Single Kiasi, starring opposite Kevin Maina’s Ritchie as their unconventional relationship takes a bold, life-changing turn.

Below, she speaks exclusively about her career, her craft, and the behind-the-scenes moments fans never get to see.

“Elements” — The One-Woman Show That Transformed Her

Earlier this year, Keli took to the stage alone in Elements, a performance she describes as the most demanding and rewarding of her career.

“Standing alone on that stage, knowing it was all on me to hold the audience… it pushed me in ways I hadn’t imagined,” she says.

The show, centred on the inner world of a complex woman, resonated with her deeply. If she could do it again, she admits she would dig for even more honesty — asking more questions, speaking to more women, and exploring the nuances of the character’s pain.

Theatre vs TV:

Keli’s roots are firmly planted in theatre, but her transition into television has revealed a new dimension of her artistry.

Theatre, she says, is raw, alive, and electric:

“There’s no hiding. No second take. The adrenaline? Nothing compares.”

TV, meanwhile, demands a quieter intensity:

“You have to trust the stillness. The camera catches everything.”

While theatre remains her first love, television has given her new tools, new challenges, and new ways to stretch her range.

Stepping Into Delilah

Playing Delilah in Single Kiasi Season 4 was both terrifying and exhilarating.

“Delilah is bold, confident, unapologetic — she makes no apologies for who she is,” Keli says. “She’s from a completely different universe.”

Fortunately, the support of producers Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson helped her build the character from the ground up. The role pushed her creatively and emotionally — but in the best way possible.

On-Screen Chemistry With Kevin Maina:

Fans can’t get enough of Delilah and Ritchie’s electric chemistry, and Keli credits it to one thing:

“Trust. We really listen to each other. We stay present. When two actors trust each other, the magic happens.”

Fan Reactions to Delilah

The response to Delilah has been… intense.

“My family? Not one word. I think they’re still processing,” she laughs.

Her friends have reacted with shock, excitement, and endless questions — but all agree on one thing: they can’t wait for more. And the name of Delilah’s son on the show, Samson?

“The irony is just perfect.”

Her Biggest Creative Inspirations

Helen Keli draws inspiration from some of the world’s greatest performers — Viola Davis, Maggie Smith, Meryl Streep, and Helen Mirren.

What she admires most is their discipline.

“You can feel the years of hard work behind every performance. That’s what true acting is.”

Life Off-Screen

Away from the spotlight, Keli prefers calmness, nature, and time with loved ones.

Her comfort zone? Cooking.

“If it’s roasted, I love it — roast vegetables, roast potatoes, roast chicken, roast steak.”

Her Advice for Young Actors

To the next generation of Kenyan actors, Keli offers wisdom rooted in experience:

“Talent won’t carry you unless you work at it. Hone your craft. Take classes. Never take a day off from learning.”

Her Hard No: “Full-On Nudity”

There are limits to what she’ll do for a role.

Full-on nudity is something she will not consider — though she admits that playing Delilah pushed her to expand her boundaries in new, healthy ways.