JB Masanduku on the Showmax Original, Nilichoma
14 May 2024

Showmax announces its first docuseries in Kenya, Nilichoma

As part of its diverse May launch slate in Kenya, African streamer Showmax has unveiled its first-ever Original docuseries in Kenya, Nilichoma, premiering on 28 May.

The 10-part docuseries features well-known personalities in Kenya who received an unexpected windfall, and then blew it all. 

“The story of starting from nothing, only to fall into immense wealth, is a dream shared by humanity. However, the accompanying fall from grace is a nightmare we dread,” says producer Ahmed Deen (Midlife Crisis). “Nilichoma is a collection of these dreams, shared by personalities we have grown up with and dreamt of being. These personalities either inherited, won or were awarded sums of money beyond their wildest dreams But these dreams turned into a nightmare with more spending and once they hit rock bottom, all that was left were hard lessons learnt.”

“Nilichoma represents the dreams of Kenyans from all walks of life. The series captures raw emotional moments that allows viewers to reflect and to look into their own hearts through the men and women on the screen,” says co-producer Isaya Evans.

Watch the trailer for Nilichoma

Featuring 10 different stories, Nilichoma will offer viewers an immersive emotional experience with a blend of personal narratives, interviews, archive photos and videos, re-enactments that shed light on the rise and fall, and ultimately, how they became the individuals they are today.

Some of the personalities to look out for include cricket icon Maurice Odumbe, comedian JB Masandaku, David Ogot, son to renowned author and politician Grace Ogot, former Samburu millionaire Gabriel Lengishili and more.

Deen and Evans are co-producing the docuseries under Café Luna Films, who have collaborated in productions like The Real Housewives of Nairobi, The Girl with the Yellow Jumper, Shimoni, Igiza and Ayaanle.

Nilichoma joins three more Kenyan Showmax Originals premiering in May as the streamer officially relaunches in Kenya. Others include the highly anticipated The Real Housewives of Nairobi S2, new dramedy from Philit Productions Untying Kantai, and new romcom series Big Girl Small World, from Nick Mutuma and Kevin Njue.

Share:

More like this

Catch all five episodes of the first season of Giants on Showmax now!

Giants S1

A compelling docuseries that takes you deep inside the lives of players from one of South Africa's most iconic football clubs, Orlando Pirates.

Made in South Africa
Catch all five episodes of Giants on Showmax now!

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

You can now binge-watch all five episodes of Giants, which takes an unprecedented look behind the scenes of a legendary football club: Orlando Pirates

Made in South Africa
Flight 149: Hostage of War is on Showmax

Flight 149: Hostage of War (2025)

When Flight 149 landed in Kuwait, its passengers became pawns in Saddam's invasion, held as human shields. Decades later, survivors seek justice and the truth.

First
Tracking Thabo Bester on Showmax

Tracking Thabo Bester

A documentary about the convicted murderer and rapist who faked his own death. All episodes are on Showmax.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Telemarketers S1 on Showmax

5 reasons to pick up HBO’s Telemarketers

Scam caller alert! Five reasons to find out who’s really cashing in on a job that everyone hates, in the HBO documentary series The Telemarketers.

Telemarketers S1 on Showmax

Telemarketers

Two former telemarketers team up to investigate the dark side of American capitalism, uncovering widespread abuse of customer trust.

The Zulu brothers on The Wife now on Showmax

10 game-changing shows to celebrate Showmax turning 10

Stream these original titles to celebrate Showmax turning 10. A decade later, streaming service has since expanded to 44 African countries.

OriginalMade in South Africa
The ABC Killer on Showmax

Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream

These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we're living in today.

OriginalMade in South Africa

RHONairobi S2, now streaming

Untying Kantai, now streaming