Single Kiasi cast on what they love about their characters

Single Kiasi cast members Minne Kariuki, Faith Kibathi and Gathoni Mutua, who play Mariah, Rebecca and Sintamei respectively in the latest Showmax original, say they were drawn to the show by its unfiltered exploration of women’s issues. Single Kiasi (Singleish) follows three friends in Nairobi as they deal with the challenges that marriage, relationships, and their careers throw at them. 

The first episode hit screens in Kenya on 20 January 2022, and the Single Kiasi cast captured our hearts straight away. The Instagram life, cheating husbands and naughty surprises in Single Kiasi introduced us to the trio of childhood friends – goal-getter Sintamei, influencer Mariah and modest Rebecca. Whilst they seem to have their lives and their romantic relationships under control, it doesn’t take long before the men of Single Kiasi prove the popular saying in the city’s dating scene: “Men will embarrass you unprovoked,” as reiterated by Mariah. 

In the next episode of Single Kiasi: Kevin has kids with the other woman! things really start to fall apart for the three friends. Sintamei’s husband drops an emotional bombshell whilst Mariah starts trending on social media – for all the wrong reasons. But for the leading ladies in the Single Kiasi cast, their strong bond of friendship means that even as the world crumbles around them, they will always have each other. 

While you count down the hours to the next episode, meet the actors behind your favourite Single Kiasi characters and find out why they love the show as much as you do!

Minne Kariuki as Mariah, the modern-day slay queen

Mariah is seemingly living her best life. A beauty and travel influencer whose career is sponsored by rich older men, she’s just returned from Paris, a mini baecation with her Zaddy, the stupidly rich and married John Kamau. Minne Kariuki (Ma’Empress) plays the sassy character who she calls “…a modern-day slay queen who pretends to afford a lavish lifestyle and flaunts it all on social media because she wants to keep up with the trends.” 

Minne joined the Single Kiasi cast because she fell in love with the character straight away. “It’s the audacity of Mariah for me. It’s one of the things that attracted me to this role. She’s openly telling people that she’s a boss lady and that she’s an independent woman but on the flip side, it’s all fake. When I read the script, I kept asking myself, ‘What goes through her head? Why would you pick up a camera and fake a life that you don’t even live for the gram?’ I fell in love with the character immediately because her life is exactly what we see on social media today.”

Faith Kibathi as Rebecca, the modest mother and housewife

Rebecca is portrayed by This is Life actress Faith Kibathi, who seamlessly steps into the shoes of the humble and down-to-earth housewife and mother of two – who has lived with her high school sweetheart for nine years despite not being officially married.

On joining the Single Kiasi cast, Faith said, “It’s an honour to get to play Rebecca as she explores motherhood and failures of her relationship. Single Kiasi is different because it’s very relatable and has a touch of the actual dating experiences in Nairobi. It also shows the beauty of reliable female friendship especially when things get bad.”

Gathoni Mutua as Sintamei, the career woman

Gathoni Mutua (This Is Life) plays the overachieving, career-focused Sintamei, a brilliant lawyer who seems to have the life that any woman would dream of – she’s on track to making partner in a prestigious law firm and has been happily married for 10 years to the man of her dreams. Or so she thought.

Talking about what drew her to join the Single Kiasi cast, Gathoni says, “Other than the fact that it’s a show about women, Single Kiasi has this chic yet nostalgic old-school girlfriends vibe that takes the drama a notch higher without feeling like the friendship will fall apart.”

Brian Abajah

One of the newest faces on our screens, Brian Abajah came into the limelight when he starred in Nick Mutuma’s coming-of-age romcom Sincerely Daisy. Since then, he’s appeared in Kenya’s first action feature Mission to Rescue and in season 1 of the Kenyan Showmax Original Crime and Justice.

In Single Kiasi, Abajah plays Andrew, the charming intern who gets entangled in an affair with Sintamei after her marriage falls apart.

Michael Munyoki

In 2021, Michael “Smallz” Munyoki starred in Phil Karanja’s film debut, A Grand Little Lie, alongside Catherine Kamau (Nafsi), Bilal Mwaura (40 Sticks) and Mercy Mutisya (Baba Twins).

In Single Kiasi, Munyoki plays Rebecca’s (Faith Kibathi) cash-strapped husband Eric. Even though they’ve been together for nine years, Eric and Rebecca have never been officially married.

Lucarelli Onyango

Lucarelli Onyango (Crime and Justice, Pieces of Us) plays Sintamei’s (Gathoni Mutua) cheating husband Kevin.

Sintamei and Kevin have been happily married for 10-years but it turns out that Kevin has been living a double life with another woman and two kids – a lie that Sintamei uncovers when she crashes his traditional wedding.

Mburu Kimani

Director and actor Mburu Kimani – known for directing the popular show Machachari – plays Mariah’s (Minne Kariuki) married sponsor John Kamau aka JK. JK is controlling and doesn’t approve of Mariah’s obsession with social media.

Kevin Maina

Newcomer Kevin Maina plays Mariah’s roommate and cousin Ritchie. Ritchie is a Ben 10 who has a preference for older women (also known as aunties wa Harrier) who can play for the lifestyle he wants. He is protective of Mariah and is just as self-centered as she is.

Lenana Kariba

Lenana Kariba has won many hearts with his roles in TV shows like How to Find a Husband and Kenya’s first medical drama Saints and in films like House of Lungula. Lenana also featured in the popular Swahili telenovela Selina as Reagan, the black sheep of the wealthy Mackenzies, before he was replaced by Brian Ogola (Crime and Justice).

In Single Kiasi, Lenana plays Nick, a famous actor in a local soap opera who has his eyes set on Rebecca but he has secrets that could threaten this relationship.

Dora Nyaboke

Dora Nyaboke is known for playing the wife of the powerful politician Barasa (John Sibi-Okumu) and the mastermind of his mistress’ brutal murder in the first season of Crime and Justice, a role she reprises in season two.

In Single Kiasi, she plays JK’s (Mburu Kimani) unsuspecting wife, who finds out that her husband is cheating on her after Mariah’s post goes viral.

Jacky Kaboi

In 2014, Jacky Kaboi won a Kalasha Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Kenyan film Tamed. Most recently, Kaboi also appeared in the Kenyan-German short Adisa which won Best Foreign Short at the Cannes Indie Shorts Awards.

Kaboi plays Kevin’s (Lucarelli Onyango) other woman and the mother of his two children on Single Kiasi.