'MTV Shuga Mashariki': Behind the scenes exclusive on set early look

Walking into the Wangari Maathai Institute of Peace and Technology felt like stepping out of Nairobi and into rural Kenya. The air was still, the trees stretched endlessly, and the silence wrapped around me, think of a haven for yoga and wellness enthusiasts.

For a moment, I thought I was in the wrong place. It was hard to believe that within this quiet, green sanctuary, a major television production was in full swing.

After a decade away, MTV Shuga Mashariki is back. And on this day, I was on set to witness its production firsthand, to see how all the moving parts come together. The show’s return to Kenya was exciting, but what intrigued me was the talent behind the scenes.

Set to premiere in May, MTV Shuga Mashariki is produced by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation (SAF), with a powerhouse team. Leading the charge is Njue Kevin, a producer with an impressive portfolio that includes Second Family, Jiji, Big Girl Small World, and Safari.

On the ground ensuring everything runs smoothly is Reuben Odanga and his team at Multan Productions, the creative force behind Mo Faya, Selina, Nafsi and many more award-winning shows.

The directing team is a dream team lineup, each known for telling deeply authentic Kenyan stories. Likarion Wainaina, the mind behind Supa Modo, Tuki, Subterranea, Salem and Crime and Justice, prioritises story above all else.

Even in casual conversation, it’s clear with him, story is king. Mkaiwawi Mwakaba, co-founder of the African Female Filmmakers Collective, brings her sharp editorial and directorial eye, with credits including Makosa Ni Yangu. Completing the trio is June Ndinya, known for Flash Squad and Prefects, whose work stands out for its bold, genuine storytelling.

Behind the camera, Enos Olik, one of Africa’s top cinematographers, is shaping the show’s visual style. His past work includes Crime and Justice, Supa Modo, Famous, The Christmas Run and 40 Sticks. With a team like this, it’s impossible not to expect something extraordinary.

Behind the scene

As I stepped onto the set, I did what I always do in new places, I got lost on purpose. Wandering off is the best way to see what you're not supposed to see and end up where you’re not expected. I found myself in the extras’ holding area, striking up conversations.

Despite the long hours of waiting, their enthusiasm was contagious. Watching them transform into their characters, I could feel the show’s energy already coming to life.

There was a quiet sense of order, labelled placards, racks of costumes, crew members handling camera like a delicate new born baby, and a random actor in full costume whispering lines to himself in the corner.

The energy in the space was just right for a creative mind.

One thing stood out, the number of young people working behind the scenes, not just as actors but as crew members. Later, I brought it up with Reuben, and he confirmed it was intentional.

Read: Instant Dad: Captivating drama on fatherhood and grief

"Shuga is a story about young people, so it only made sense to have as many young people involvedas possible from start to finish," he told me.

Eventually, someone noticed I wasn’t where I was supposed to be and directed me upstairs, where the real action was happening.

In the boardroom, Kevin was deep in discussion about the show’s music. Every so often, he’d rush out, exchange a few words with the crew downstairs, then disappear back inside.

Watching him move from one thing to another, smiling and checking in with everyone, you’d never guess he was carrying a personal struggle, his sister had recently been diagnosed with leukemia, something he later shared publicly on line.

During a break, I caught up with Mitchelle Kimathi, Country Manager for MTV Staying Alive Foundation. I asked why Shuga was returning now and whether the recent Gen Z protests had influenced the decision.

"We’ve been working towards Shuga’s return to Kenya for a long time, long before the protests," she clarified.

I followed up by asking how they planned to engage audiences in a world dominated by TikTok and short-form content.

"Our story is deeply authentic to young people's experiences today. It’s rooted in research on their lifestyles, education, and career choices. The show is designed in a way that many young people will see themselves in it," she explained.

A few minutes later, I met Wainaina, exhausted but eager to talk about the show. For him, it always comes back to the story.

"I don’t force creativity onto a story, I let the story dictate the creativity. Good stories and good characters go hand in hand, and that’s what excites me about this project. Every character is unique, not just a generic placeholder," he said.

Pushing the boundaries

One word kept surfacing in my conversations with directors and producers: edgy. Everyone hinted that this season would push boundaries more than past ones.

Watching a scene directed by Mkaiwawi and hearing insights from producers and directors, I could already tell, it’s the kind of show that will get people talking.

I wanted to chat with June, Enos, and Mkaiwawi, but they were in the middle of shooting a complex scene. Interestingly, everyone on set was excited about Mkaiwawi directing that particular scene. Typically, a scene like this would go to a male director. The fact that she was leading it made a statement on its own.

For those tracking gender representation, 51 percent of MTV Shuga Mashariki’s team, both on and off camera, are women. If that matters to you, great. But for me, talent and professionalism come first. Gender should never be the reason someone gets a job, skill should.

I didn’t get a chance to speak with Enos Olik, but thanks to Kevin, I got a sneak peek at some storyboards. The level of detail was striking.

From framing to camera movements, every shot was carefully mapped out. Even the smallest expressions and reactions were explicitly outlined.

The Reality of production

Spending a day behind the scenes gave me insight into not just what’s coming, but how it's being executed. MTV Shuga Mashariki is working on a tight schedule, yet Reuben Odanga and Multan Productions make it look effortless, until you sit with them and realize how complex it really is. On set, something is always happening, even when it seems like nothing is. It’s controlled chaos, but it works.

Directors

The producers went through an intense selection process to find the right directors.

"We needed directors who fit our schedule, had the right experience, and aligned with our vision," Njue Kevin explained. While their choices make perfect sense, I couldn’t help but wonder why Jennifer Gatero, known for her work on youth-focused projects, or Edwin Nyongesa, whose storytelling in On Air was unconventional and brilliant, weren’t included.

My bigger concern is the risk of messaging overshadowing storytelling. NGO-backed productions often check boxes instead of letting the story breathe. With this show, the gender card is already on the table.

The producers and directors insist that story comes first, I hope they mean it. 

What’s next?

MTV Shuga has always been about young people, and just roaming around the set, I saw how many young creatives were shaping this season.

From the conversations I had, this is going to be unmistakably Kenyan, possibly free from forced foreign influences. If there was one word that summed up the day, it was authentic.

Am I skeptical about a few things? Sure. But the show drops in May, and when it does, we’ll be here to break it down.

→ [email protected]