When you think of Kenyan comedy today, what comes to mind?
For most, it’s stand-up comedy or social media skits. So, the announcement of a new Kenyan comedy feature film immediately piqued my interest. In a landscape where humour often relies on tribal stereotypes, political satire, or gender debates, what was Sketchy Africans offering outside all that?
Directed by Vincent Mbaya, Sketchy Africans follows Miriam, a struggling entrepreneur trying to meet family expectations while juggling a failing business.
Desperate for a solution, she teams up with her friend, a debt-ridden theatre director, to fake an engagement and stage a sham dowry ceremony. The goal? Secure much-needed cash.
The film stars Nyokabi Macharia and Bruce Makau in the lead roles, supported by Morris Mwangi, Shix Kapienga, Duncan Murunyu, Benson Ojuwa, chris Kamau, Ben Teke, Beatrice Kamuyu, Gloria Songoro, Andrew Levi, Joy Njambi and Gerald Langiri . It’s currently (Early December 2024) screening at Prestige and Greenspan Mall.
Why it works
The movie is actually very funny.
This is a comedy rooted in familiar yet intriguing situations The humor doesn’t feel forced or gimmicky. In simple terms there was a story to begin with.
And the story develops naturally from the characters’ everyday lives and the absurd scenarios they find themselves in. The characters aren’t trying to be funny for the sake of it, it’s where the story takes them and how they interact with the world that makes them funny.
The script is sharp, with quick, engaging dialogue. Paired with brisk editing, it's tightly paced, particularly in the first and third acts. The editing feels deliberate and keeps the viewer invested without dragging or losing focus.
The performances broadly speaking, are excellent. Nyokabi Macharia as Miriam delivers a strong, grounded performance, making her character’s journey familiar. Bruce Makau brings charm to his role, while the ensemble cast adds a dynamic depth to the overall story and miriam's arc. Even characters with smaller roles are there purposefully.
Visually, the cinematography suits the film’s tone. It leans into brighter, vibrant imagery that mirrors the energy of the story. Clever framing, especially during the dowry negotiation scenes in the third act, amplifies the humor. I also love the application of depth of field to guide the viewer.
The costume and props teams deserve credit, too. Costumes reflect the personalities of each character, adding layers to their identities.
The props, from cars to set details, are seamlessly woven into the narrative, contributing to both humor and authenticity.
This movie feels like a love letter to the art and culture of acting, with the plot and the cast that brings together emerging and seasoned Kenyan talent.
Sticking to the unpredictable nature of the film, the title card reveal is decent.
What could be better
There are technical issues like occasional dip in audio quality and inconsistent subtitles during the screening I attended. Hopefully, these will be addressed in future showings.
The second act feels predictable compared to the rest of the movie. While it provides important character development, the plot becomes somewhat formulaic.
The deus ex machina during the climatic moment, while amusing, I thought it lacked proper setup. It solves a major conflict too conveniently, leaving it feeling unearned.
The ending also features some heavy-handed exposition. Instead of letting the actions and visuals speak for themselves, characters explain key moments, which slightly undercuts the impact of the events that just took place.
Final thoughts
Would I recommend this to a foreign friend? Absolutely—provided the subtitles are fixed.
Despite a few issues, Sketchy Africans is an entertaining watch. It’s fast-paced, funny, and relatable, with strong performances and a story that is familiar and entertaining. It strikes a balance between humor and heart and works very well at it's core as a full feature comedy.
