"I give it 110%": Sanaipei on joining The Chocolate Empire

Renowned entertainer Sanaipei Tande shot to fame at just 19 when she won the Coca-Cola Pop Stars talent competition in 2004, setting the stage for a career packed with iconic moments. From her soulful hits like Kwaheri and Chaguo la Moyo to standout roles in Aziza, Mali, and Kina, she has proven time and time again that she’s a force to be reckoned with. 

After a brief pause to focus on her music, she is back onto the small screen with Showmax’s gripping crime drama The Chocolate Empire, where she plays a struggling widow who crosses paths with JB, portrayed by her Kina co-star Jimmy Gathu.  

In an exclusive with Showmax, she reflects on her career and her newest Showmax project:  

Twenty years and counting in Kenya’s entertainment industry is not an easy feat. Tell us about your journey.  

When it comes to my career, one thing has always been my secret weapon: I give every opportunity 110%! Whether it’s radio, music, or acting, I don’t just show up - I ace it. That’s why people keep coming back and saying, “Oh, Sanaipei, we need you for this!” 

I started out as a musician, but along the way, people began to see something more in me. They would watch one of my music videos and say, “You’d make a great actress!” And just like that, I found myself acting. With everything I take on, I try to show a little bit of my versatility, and that’s opened doors to roles I never imagined. 

Take hosting R&B nights, for example. It all started at this club called Replay. Suddenly, R&B became my thing, and everyone wanted me to host. From Kitale to the Coast, I was getting calls to perform - not even my own songs, but hits from icons like Beyoncé and Rihanna. And let me tell you, people loved it! 

Personally, I’m just a happy soul. I am proud of what I have achieved so far, but I also know the sky’s the limit. As I grow older, I keep expanding my horizons, pushing myself to be better, and embracing new opportunities. Life is about evolving, and that’s exactly what I plan to keep doing! 

It was a busy past few months for you: 2 Asunder, Kash Money and now The Chocolate Empire. How was it working on these new projects and being back in the limelight? 

Filming Kina was quite demanding in a leading role since I was doing 15 to 16 scenes a day! If you’ve ever been on a film set, you know how much effort goes into just one scene.  

But working on these newer projects, it felt like a breath of fresh air and more relaxed. By “relaxed,” I mean there wasn’t that crushing pressure to get everything perfect in one take. The directors were incredibly patient, understanding, and supportive. Even if I slipped up, there wasn’t that fear of upsetting anyone. It was a smooth, enjoyable experience. 

This is your second project with the production team led by Phil Bresson. Tell us about it.  

We wrapped up filming Kash Money in early 2024, and that’s where I got work with the incredible duo, Phillip and Grace, for the first time. Thereafter, the duo originally asked me to screen test for two roles - Marie and Margaret. But Marie felt quite familiar since it would be Kina all over again where I play Jimmy’s onscreen wife.  

Margaret was the best choice, since her character was a whole different vibe - a mother dealing with the heartache of her two daughters constantly letting her down. It’s a role that stretched me emotionally and gave me the chance to explore new dimensions in my acting. 

What was your favourite movie or documentary of the past two years, aside from your projects? 

I really enjoyed 2023’s Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning. I watched it in the cinema, and I was so amazed. I also watch a lot of true crime.  

What advice do you have for young content creators who aspire to be like you? 

Do your job. You’re an individual, and you came to work as one. Always give your best because when you excel, people will keep coming back to work with you. When people see you’re reliable and disciplined, they’ll trust you.   

What’s next for you? 

One day at a time. There’s nothing like the present. There is no yesterday, and there is no future. It’s all about the here and now. We will all find out what’s next when the time comes. 

Watch Sanaipei Tande in The Chocolate Empire, now streaming on Showmax.