Cindy Kahuha
Kenyan actress and producer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cindy Kahuha (also known as Makena Kahuha; born November 9, 1998) is a Kenyan actress, stage performer, and producer. She is known for her work in television, theatre and streaming productions, including her role as Zuri Tandala in the Maisha Magic Plus drama series Kina.[1][2] She has also appeared in the Netflix series Country Queen and the Showmax science fiction series Subterranea.[3]
November 9, 1998
Cindy Kahuha | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cindy Makena Kahuha November 9, 1998 Nairobi, Kenya |
| Other names | Makena Kahuha |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology |
| Alma mater | University of Nairobi |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Known for |
|
| Mother | Esther Kahuha |
Kahuha is part of a generation of Kenyan actors contributing to the international visibility of the country's film and television industry, particularly through productions distributed on global streaming platforms.
Early life and education
Kahuha was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. She is the daughter of Kenyan actress and stage comedian Esther Kahuha, whose career influenced her early interest in acting and performance.[4]
She began participating in drama activities at a young age and was exposed to professional acting environments early in her life. She attended St. Elizabeth Academy and Le Pic Primary School before proceeding to Loreto High School, Kiambu. She later completed her secondary education at Wellspring Academy.[2]
Kahuha enrolled at the University of Nairobi, where she pursued studies in psychology.[5]
Career
Early career and theatre
Kahuha began her acting career as a child, appearing in the Swahili television drama Wingu La Moto, where she acted alongside her mother.[6] This early exposure introduced her to the Kenyan television industry and laid the foundation for her later work in both screen and stage acting.[4]
She later created and performed the one-woman stage production Miss Understood, a semi-autobiographical piece exploring generational conflict and identity among young women in Kenya.[7] The production was staged at the Kenya National Theatre and received recognition within the local theatre scene.[8][9] Her theatre background has been central to her development as a performer, particularly in character-driven storytelling and live performance techniques.[10]
Television and film
Kahuha gained wider recognition for her role as Zuri Tandala in the Maisha Magic Plus drama series Kina, where she portrayed a young woman navigating complex family relationships and social pressures.[11][1]
She later appeared in the Netflix drama series Country Queen.[3] In 2024, she starred in the Showmax science fiction series Subterranea, portraying dual roles as twins Kate and Lucy Adema.[12] The series represented one of the first major science fiction productions in Kenya and marked a shift toward genre diversification in the local industry.[13][14]
In 2025, Kahuha joined the cast of MTV Shuga Mashariki, a continuation of the long-running MTV Shuga franchise. She portrayed the character Zena in the series, which focuses on youth culture, relationships and social issues affecting young people in Kenya.[15][16] She has also been cast in the Showmax original drama series The Chocolate Empire, a Kenyan production centered on themes of power, wealth and ambition within Nairobi’s elite circles.[17]
Beyond television, Kahuha has also worked in digital content production. She served as an executive producer and cast member on the web series Mid Young Crisis, reflecting her engagement with emerging digital storytelling platforms.[18][19]
Her additional screen credits include appearances in Burnt Forest,[6] Is This Your Daughter and the Danish production Liberty, demonstrating her involvement in both local and international productions.[8]
Filmography
Television and film
| Year | Title | Role | Format | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Wingu La Moto | TV Series | Child actor debut | [6] | |
| 2013 | Burnt Forest | Mumbi | Short Film | Lead role | [20] |
| 2015 | Is This Your daughter? | Ciku | Short Film | ||
| 2017 | Tom | Short Film | |||
| 2018 | Supa Modo | Halima | Drama | Supporting role | |
| 2018 | Liberty | Claire | TV Mini Series | Danish production | |
| 2019 | Ensulo | Feature Film | |||
| 2020 | Kina | Zuri Tandala | TV Series | Main cast | [2][11][3] |
| 2022 | Country Queen | Young Akisa | TV Series | Netflix series | [3] |
| 2022 | Sleep | Soila | Feature Film | Thriler | |
| 2024 | Subterranea | Kate Adema / Lucy Adema | TV Series | Showmax original sci-fi | [12][13] |
| 2025–Present | MTV Shuga Mashariki | Zena | TV series | Citizen TV | [15][16] |
| 2025 | The Chocolate Empire | Ebony | TV Series | Showmax | [17] |
Theatre
| Year | Tittle | Role | Director | Theatre | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Miss Undestood | as herself | Cindy Kahuha | Kenya National Theatre | Monologue | [7][9][8] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Show | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Kalasha Awards | Best Lead Actress Film | Burnt Forest | Nominated | [21] |
| 2023 | Kenya Theatre Awards | Best Breakthrough Female Performer | Nominated | [22][23] | |
| 2026 | Kenya Theatre Awards | Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Monologue | Miss Understood | Won | [24] |
