Catherine Kamau

Catherine Kamau
Born
Catherine Njoki Kamau

(1987-02-03) 3 February 1987
Nyahururu, Kenya
Other namesCelina
Kate Actress
EducationDiploma in Communications
Alma materMultimedia University of Kenya
OccupationActress
Years active2008 - present
Known forSue Na Jonnie (2017)
Disconnect (2018)
Plan B (2019)
Notable workMother-in-Law
Spouse
​
(m. 2017)​
Children2

Catherine Kamau (born Catherine Njoki Kamau on 3 February 1987 in Nyahururu, Kenya) is a Kenyan actress widely known as “Kate Actress.” She rose to national prominence for her portrayal of Celina (also spelled Selina) in the Citizen TV drama Mother In‑Law, joining the cast in 2006 as a dancer and receptionist before becoming Charlie’s wife and Olive’s stepmother.[1]

Early life

Catherine Kamau (born February 3, 1987)[2] is a Kenyan actress, popularly known as "Celina"[3] (or "Selina"[4]) and "Kate Actress".[5][6][7]

She came into the limelight for her role in the Citizen TV show, Mother In-Law where she played Celina. She has also featured in other films such as Sue na Jonie, Nafsi, Plan B, and Disconnect.

Catherine attended Chogoria High School where she joined the drama club and became well known for her talent, before moving to Loreto Convent Msongari where she won the 'Miss Loreto' Award.[8]

She has a Diploma in Communications, majoring in public relations from Kenya College of Communication and Technology which was upgraded to MultiMedia University of Kenya.

Catherine Kamau is the brand ambassador[9] for Harpic Kenya and the Nice and Lovely Petroleum Jelly.[10][11]

She was married to Phiipl Karanja but are divorced as of 19 September 2023.

Career

Catherine played the role of Selina (or Celina) the wife of Charlie (Patrick Oketch) on the Citizen TV drama series Mother-in-Law[4][5][12] which began in 2006. She then left the show for the Swahili language TV series Sue Na Jonnie, in which she played the role of Sue.[13][14]

She won the Best Lead Actress in the TV Drama Series category in the Kalasha Awards 2017[15] and again received a nomination for Best Actress in a TV Drama in 2018,[16] for her role in "Sue Na Jonnie".[17][18] She was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress in a Film category of the Kenya Film Commission Kalasha Awards 2018 for her role in the film "Disconnect".Sarah Hassan[19]

She played the role of Joyce in the 2019 romantic comedy film, "Plan B", produced by Sarah Hassan and directed by the Nigerian film maker, Dolapo Adeleke (Lowladee).[20][21] For her role as Joyce, she was once again nominated for the Best Supporting Actress in Film category in the 9th edition of the Kenya Film Commission Kalasha Awards 2019.[22][23]

Catherine Kamau has also recently featured in two movies The Grand Little Lie (GLL), produced by '"Phil-It Productions" as part of the main cast. The movie premiered in October 2021 and it made a debut on the international streaming platform Netflix[24]

She is also a content creator and a YouTuber. On her YouTube channel, she speaks on fashion, style, acting, lifestyle and motherhood. She is passionate on the issue of teenage pregnancies. Having been a teen mother, and has a dubbed phrase 'Queens must wait', in which she encourages young girls to wait first before deciding to be mothers.[25]

In May 2024, She visited the USA as part of President Ruto's entourage for the state visit. Her invitation, as a representative of the Kenyan Creative industry, came from the Former US ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman.[26]

During the Jamhuri Day celebrations in Kenya in December 2024, she got awarded with an Order of The Grand Warrior (O.G.W) Presidential Award in recognition of her role in the Film industry.[27]

Personal life

Kamau has been married to Philip Karanja (alias Director Phil), a film director and former Tahidi High actor from November 17, 2017, to September 2023 when they officially announced their separation and divorce plans.[28] Their honeymoon was celebrated in Seychelles.[3]

While in Kampala International University in Uganda, at the age of 19, she gave birth to her first son, Leon Karanja, in 2006[2] who Philip adopted.[29] In December 2019, the couple had their first child together, Karla Njeri.[30]

Catherine and Philip Karanja announced their divorce on September 19 through a joint statement posted on their respective Instagram accounts.[28]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2008–date Mother-in-Law Selina (Celina) TV series
2017–2019[31] Sue Na Jonnie Sue TV series
2018 Disconnect TK Netflix film
2019 Plan B Joyce Netflix film
2021 Nafsi Shiko Netflix film
2021 A Grand Little Lie The Boss Film
2014 Love Ransom Film
2016 Brother Jekwu Lauren Film
2021 Kutu Ruth Short film
2022 Click Click Bang Mama Mboga Film
2022 Disconnect: The wedding Planner TK Film

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Show Result Ref
2019 Kalasha International Film and TV Awards Best Supporting Actress Film Plan B Nominated [32][33]
2017 Kalasha International Film and TV Awards Best Actress in a TV Drama Sue Na Jonnie Won [34]
2018 Kalasha International Film and TV Awards Best Supporting Actress Film Disconnect Nominated [35]
2021 Kalasha International Film and TV Awards Best Supporting Actress Film Kutu Won [36][37]

References

  1. ^ Africa, Dawan. "Catherine Kamau | Dawanpedia". Dawan Africa. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  2. ^ a b "Celina: No apologies for getting a child at a tender age". Nairobi News. February 3, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Catherine Kamau (Celina) and Hubby Share Photos From Their Honeymoon". Naibuzz. November 21, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Mutsoli, Vivian. "Mother-in-Law: Synopsis, characters, and their real names". Tuko. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Award winning actress CATHERINE KAMAU advises single mothers to accept and move on using her own experience". Daily Post. July 10, 2020. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  6. ^ "PHOTOS: Catherine Kamau, hubby Philip Karanja expecting first child together". The Standard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  7. ^ "Catherine Kamau (Kate Actress) teaches how to balance work and family". Kenyan Digest. November 6, 2019. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  8. ^ Okumu, Lynet (2023-09-19). "Kate Actress' Biography: Education, acting career, net worth & her close-knit family". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  9. ^ "Size 8, DJ Mo and other Kenyan celebrities with ambassadorial jobs (Photos)". Pulselive Kenya. 2019-05-21. Archived from the original on 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  10. ^ Caldwell, Georgina (2022-04-25). "L'Oréal names Kate Actress as face of Nice and Lovely". Global Cosmetics News. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  11. ^ "Kate Actress lands new ambassadorial role". Citizen Digital. 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  12. ^ ""He has never been a drunk" Celina heaps praise on her television sweetheart as he turns a year older". Ghafla!. June 13, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  13. ^ "Celina reveals why she left Tv show Mother-in-law". Ghafla!. February 26, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  14. ^ "Sue Na Jonnie". IMDb. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  15. ^ "Kati Kati, Sue and Jonnie top 2017 Kalasha Awards". Daily Nation. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  16. ^ "Kalasha International Film and Television Awards 2018: full list". Daily Nation. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  17. ^ Njoroge, Mike (October 18, 2018). "Kalasha Awards 2018: Kenyan film submitted for Oscars bags 12 nominations". Business Today. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  18. ^ "Selina, Plan B and more Kalasha Awards 2019 winners to stream on Showmax". Showmax. December 5, 2019. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  19. ^ Nyota, Maxwell (2018-10-20). "Here's The Full List Of Kalasha Awards Nominations". KenyanVibe. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  20. ^ "Plan B". Paukwa. January 30, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  21. ^ "Plan B". Nollywood Reinvented. February 15, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  22. ^ Ambani, Sylvania (November 2, 2019). "Kalasha Awards deal with Star Times irks actress Catherine Kamau". Nairobi News. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  23. ^ "Kalasha Film Awards 2019 Nominees Unveiled!". KenyaBuzz. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  24. ^ A Grand Little Lie (2021) ⭐ 8.0 | Drama. Retrieved 2024-08-24 – via m.imdb.com.
  25. ^ "Kate Actress - Celina - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  26. ^ Nzyoka, Nzula (2024-05-21). "Kate actress encourages young actors, shares photos from US visit - KBC". Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  27. ^ "Kate Actress feted the Order of the Grand Warrior award". Nairobi News. 2023-12-12. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  28. ^ a b Salasya, Bill Cyril (2024-02-13). "Phil and Kate Actress relationship timeline and divorce". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  29. ^ Simi, Jumoke (May 27, 2019). "Catherine Kamau Offers Solid Advice To Single Moms On Finding Love Again". Motherhood in-Style Magazine. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  30. ^ "Phil and Cate welcome their first bundle of joy". Nairobi News. 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  31. ^ "Sue Na Jonnie (TV Series, 2017 –2019)". Filamu. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  32. ^ "Showmax, Maisha Magic East Titles Dominate Kalasha Awards 2019". KenyaBuzz. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  33. ^ "Kate Actress | Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  34. ^ Mbaya, Della (2017-11-09). "Here Are Your 2017 Kalasha Award Nominees". KenyanVibe. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  35. ^ Wangare, Jackline (2018-11-27). "2018 Kalasha Film and TV Awards: Full list of winners and nominees - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  36. ^ "Popular faces nominated for Kalasha Awards 2021". www.mpasho.co.ke. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  37. ^ Muendo, Stevens. "Kalasha Awards 2021 winners – Full list". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-09-13.


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