County 49
Made in Kenya
Welcome to Bwatele County, Kenya’s fictional 49th county and the nation’s breadbasket. All episodes now streaming.
Evil thrives when silence shouts
County 49 follows the political intrigues of the fictional Bwatele County, Kenya’s 49th county and the nation’s breadbasket. Despite the country’s wealth, its citizens suffer from the high cost of living and scarce resources.
County 49 stars Wakio Mzenge, Nyokabi Macharia, Ainea Ojiambo, Maqbul Mohammed, Martin Githinji, Peter Kawa, Benson Ojuwa, Nick Kwach, Emmanuel Mugo, Angela Mwandanda, Sam Psenjen and more.
The series is produced by Kibanda Pictures and the first episode was released on Showmax on 25 August 2022. All episodes are now streaming.
Meet the Cabinet

Martin Githinji is Sinjin

Ivy Collette is Zoey Okusimba

Peter Kawa is Officer Malik Maka

Nyokabi Macharia is Chief of Staff Debrah Maka

Nick Kwach is Saleh

Maqbul Mohammed is Deputy Governor Chris Komu

James Webbo is Elijah Matata

Derrick Kinyanjui is Saji Maka

Angela Mwandanda is Agnes

Ainea Ojiambo is former Governor Okusimba aka Ox

Wakio Mzenge is Governor Nerimah Mkung
A deeper look

County 49 and more political thrillers to stream
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All 13 episodes of County 49 now available to binge on Showmax
The Kenyan political thriller series which has been full of twists has come to an end. Binge all 13 episodes now.
Peter Kawa on playing the anti-hero Malik in County 49
Malik is the disgraced officer who must save the new governor and her chief of staff – his estranged wife – from a local terrorist group.
County 49 breaks streaming record for most first-day views on Showmax in Kenya
The political thriller series was the most-watched premiere ever for any title on Showmax in Kenya when it debuted on 25 August
Wakio Mzenge channels the powers of strong Kenyan female leaders in County 49
The actress is inspired by the women who have paved the way, both present and past, as she plays Bwatele County’s new female governor.
Ainea Ojiambo on County 49 and playing bad guys on TV
In the new Showmax political thriller series County 49, Ojiambo plays Okusimba, the deposed Governor of Bwatele County. Now streaming
A new female governor challenges the status quo in County 49, now streaming
New political thriller County 49 ushers in a new female governor eager to challenge the corrupt system that has plagued Bwatele County.
Showmax hosts exclusive screening of County 49
Showmax treated guests to an exclusive screening of its new Kenyan series County 49 on Tuesday 23 August at Nairobi Street Kitchen.
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