The Last Door is on Showmax
21 September 2023

Stream John-Allan Namu’s true-crime documentary The Last Door

John-Allan Namu has always been at the centre of investigative journalism in Kenya, whether he’s unearthing a major political scandal or exploring infamous crimes in Kenya. His work has earned him awards and threats in equal measure. So it’s only fitting that Namu, together with his team at Africa Uncensored, have given Kenya its first-ever true-crime documentary series with The Last Door, now streaming on Showmax.

Narrated by Namu himself, who’s also the series’ creator and executive producer, The Last Door seeks to reveal hidden and unacknowledged truths about infamous crimes perpetrated in Kenya. Some are more grim than others, but each has an important story to tell. “Every story in the series is important to me, because (I hope) it will get the audience asking questions about deaths that they have felt are/were unresolved, and give the public answers to the questions they have about the crimes that we feature,” Namu says.

At the heart of it all, Namu also hopes that ultimately, the series will give closure to those left behind or those affected by the deaths of victims featured.

Namu sat with this idea for years before he decided to bring it to the screen as a true-crime series. The story, of course, is always in the research, especially those that seek to dig up the truth about the crimes that shocked the nation.

“The research really depends on the story we are following,” says Namu. “Some are more complex and require a few weeks of research, seeking permission to film and actually filming while others are more straightforward. There are some stories that were filmed in bits over time.”

The Last Door kicks off with The Death of an Heiress, an episode that sees Namu travel to the coastal town of Lamu to meet Omar Lali, the man at the centre of the mysterious death of Keroche heiress Tecra Muigai. This episode also features emotional accounts from Tecra’s sister Anerlisa Muigai and her mother Tabitha Karanja, Nakuru Senator and CEO of Keroche Breweries.

Throughout the eight-part series, these moments with family members were the toughest for Namu to deal with in the course of filming. “It is never easy watching people break down as they speak about their loved ones. That's always hard,” he says.

From the River Yala murders to the death of the Kianjokoma brothers, every episode of The Last Door has a special place in Namu’s heart, but the story that he feels best represents victims is that of Naneu Muthoni’s murder, which occurred when they had kicked off production for the series. “Naneu Muthoni was killed when we’d already begun filming the show, and before long we were filming her story with her family. Their openness in the wake of such tragedy was very humbling,” Namu says.

The Last Door isn’t his first foray into documentaries that explore human interest stories and expose the ills and failings of our society. In 2020, Namu and his team released the investigative documentary series Maisha Mkanda (also available on Showmax). Maisha Mkanda S1 won Best TV Documentary at Kalasha Awards 2020 for its episode Road to Trauma.

More African true-crime documentaries to stream on Showmax include Rosemary’s Hitlist, about the South African cop turned serial killer Rosemary Ndlovu; Devilsdorp, about a series of brutal murders in South Africa’s Krugersdorp that led cops to a bizarre cult; Steinheist, about the biggest corporate scam in South Africa’s history; and the upcoming Boetie Boer, a spine-chilling 18+ documentary that will take viewers inside the mind of a monster: South African serial killer Stewart Wilken.

Share:

More like this

Mobland S1 is on Showmax

MobLand S1

Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan propel this gripping, gritty crime drama series that follows two powerful families engaged in an intense power struggle.

MobLand on Showmax

Big mobs, small jobs: 10 crime series to stream on Showmax

Not everybody can be the Godfather. From MobLand to The Cleaning Lady to Gangs of London, we look at 11 small but essential jobs that take care of the organising behind organised crime. 

Unspoken War on Showmax

IdeaCandy docuseries Unspoken War looks to start a national conversation

Unspoken War lands on Showmax in full on 12 November 2025, and on M-Net weekly on Wednesdays from 12 November. Produced by iEmmy nominees IdeaCandy.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Michael C Hall as Dexter in Dexter: Resurrection

Dexter's deadly to-do list in Dexter: Resurrection

Dexter’s son Harrison “killed” him in the finale of Dexter: New Blood. But he’s back from the dead and on a mission: tie up loose ends.

Young, Gifted and Queer on Showmax

Young, Gifted & Queer (2025)

This bold exploration of the lives of Black queer artists shaping Mzansi's cultural landscape is told through intimate and personal reflections.

Made in South Africa
Dexter: Resurrection S1 on Showmax

Dexter: Resurrection S1 

The city that never sleeps has a new guest. Set a few weeks after Dexter: New Blood, Dexter Morgan chases a missing Harrison to New York, where Captain Angel Batista is hot on their trail from Miami.

Slay Queens on Showmax

Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

Watch the explosive trailer for Slay Queens, a Showmax Original docuseries about women chasing the soft life. Streaming from 31 October, new episodes every Friday.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Seen and Heard documentary on Showmax

Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television

Take a journey through TV history, exploring Black representation, from early on-screen appearances to modern creators, revolutionising the industry.

First

Laugh Africa Comedy Festival S2 on Showmax

Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax

Latest Stories

Bafana Bafana live on Showmax Premier League

Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe

Spinnes S2 on Showmax

Clementine Mosimane, Mondli Makhoba and Luyanda Zwane join Spinners S2

Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League

Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight's Portia Baloyi on the reunion and her ex

Slay Queens on Showmax

Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

Catch the fiery battle between Chelsea and Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League

The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Relebogile Mabotja to host the two-hour Married at First Sight reunion special

Chasing the Sun 2 on Showmax

South Africa in third place at International Emmys, with four MultiChoice nominations

A still from Finding Optel showing Claire looking through binoculars

What to watch on Showmax in October 2025

Catch Newcastle v Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League on Sunday, 28 September at 17:30

The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight: Themba on his "stunning" wife Nelisa

Thelma on Showmax

June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma

Catch the blockbuster Premier League weekend live on Showmax Premier League.

Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Gerard Butler as 'Big Nick' O'Brien and O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Donnie Wilson in Den of Thieves 2: Panthera. Photo Credit: Rico Torres.

Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

Lunathi Mampofu in Levels Season 1 on Mzansi Magic

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax

Catch the London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham live on Showmax Premier League.

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

Catch the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, live on Showmax Premier League.

Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running

Catch the Manchester Derby live on Showmax Premier League.

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

The Brutalist on Showmax

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist

Catch all five episodes of Giants on Showmax now!

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

Vaal Riviera is on Showmax

Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window

Finding Optel on Showmax

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival