Mali (TV series)
| Mali | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Mali: United by Blood:Divided by Greed |
| Genre | Soap opera Drama |
| Created by | Alison Ngibuini |
| Developed by | Al Is On Production Ltd (Kenya) |
| Written by | Damaris Irungu Wanjiru Kairu Natasha Likimani Charles Ouda |
| Directed by | Alison Ngibuini June Akinyi |
| Starring | George Ohawa Mary Gacheri Mkamzee Mwatela Mumbi Maina Brenda Wairimu Kevin Samwel Daniel Peter Weke |
| Country of origin | Kenya |
| Original languages | English, Swahili |
| No. of episodes | 326 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Allison Ngibuini Rio Alves |
| Production location | Nairobi |
| Editors | Njuguna Mwangi Hannah Waweru Christine Gati Jackie Kabugi Weslie Onsando |
| Camera setup | SDTV 480i |
| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
| Production companies | Al Is On Production Ltd NTV (Kenya) |
| Original release | |
| Network | NTV |
| Release | October 12, 2011 – 2015 |
| Related | |
| Lies that Bind | |
Mali also known as Mali: United by Blood: Divided by Greed is a Kenyan television series and a soap opera in East Africa. It premiered on October 12, 2011 on NTV and was broadcast in Uganda starting in 2012.[1] Mali is the first Kenyan programme in its genre to run three times a week on NTV.[2] It is written by Alison Ngibuini and Damaris Irungu.
Premise
Mali revolves around the lives of an affluent family, rich to the bone but like every family of this nature, plagued with deeper public hidden issues. The polygamous patriarch of the family is a chauvinist who runs his two homes like a military camp.
The family members are different in character, cultural, social and economic status but are all embroiled in effervescent tales of love, money, power, self gain, seduction and success.
The drama unfolds when the patriarch, Mr. G Mali, collapses and dies without leaving a will behind. This leaves his two families embroiled in a journey of greed, deceit, division and discovery of horrifying family and personal secrets that would have best remained hidden.
Mali is a story of obsession to do what is right but also get what is owed. MALI will take audiences through a journey of extremes that society, the family unit and the individual would go to in the pursuit of love, money and ultimate happiness.
Mali takes its audiences beyond the trappings of affluence to the reality of a family broken and divided and the personal and collective journeys each member makes to reunite the single family unit despite personal odds and societal differences.
Cast
Main
- George Ohawa as G Mali[3]
- Mary Gacheri as Mabel Mali[3]
- Mkamzee Mwatela as Usha Mali[4][5]
- Carolyne Midimo as Bella[6]
- Mumbi Maina as Nandi Mali[7]
- Brenda Wairimu as Lulu Mali[8]
- Kevin Samuel as Richard Mali[9]
- Daniel Peter Weke as Arthur Mali[10]
- Abel Amunga as Mwambu[3]
- Tony Mwangi as Tony Babu[11]
- Conrad Makeni as Fadhili
- Gerald Langiri as Don[12]
- David Gitika as Bishop
Recurring
- Natasha Likimani as Clara[13]
- Hamza Omar as Zolo
- Nic Wang’ondu as Ron
- Marielyn Perez as Nikita
- Joan Arigi as Miriam
- Carolyne Ngorobi as Selena
- Dan Kimiti as Big Boy
- Kate Khasoa-Kole as Lucia
- Charles Ouda as CJ
Featured
- Gladys John Shao as Mimo
- Jamal Nasoor as Ken
- Brigid Shikuku as Bernadette
- Robert Agenga as Roba
- Gerald Kingori as Gera
- Charity Odupoy as Eve
- Ruth Adala as Ayo
- Valentine Mumbi as Lazizi
- Odek Ochung as Opondo
- Moses Macharia as Mzee K
- Telly Savales as Nimrod
- Jason Corder as Farouk
- Catherine Kamau as Madze
- Moses Ivayo as Gomisa
- Emmanuel Ikubese as Ike
- Joel Olukho as Seer
- Louise Hanningan as Linda
- Wilfred Maina Olwenya as Kaka
- Elle Mberia as Fifi
- Raymond Ofula as Juma Biko
- Margaret Nyachieo as Saida
- Maria Wanza as Atwoli
- Victor Gatonye as George Wiyo
- Nancy Shiko as Sweetie
- Joan Nimo Kanja as Rukia
- Mercy Chege as Tawi Babu
- Irene Njuguna as Tula
- Boniface Chege as Saika
- Peris Wambui as Sarah
- Kate Damaris as Agnes
- Edwin Saka as Kwalanda
Awards and nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Kalasha Awards | Best Lead Actress | Mkamzee Mwatela | Won | |
| Best Television Series | Mali | Nominated |
References
- ^ "Mali tv series". ntv.co.ke. Archived from the original on November 9, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
- ^ "Mali new Kenyan soap opera". pluskenya.blogspot.com. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Mali: Setting the pace for E. Africa's soap operas". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ "Mkamzee Mwatela: TV's new 'it' girl". Daily Nation. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ Owino, Anjellah. "Actress Mkamzee Chao Mwatela:I have a problem with marriage". Evewoman Magazine. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ "An audience with Mary Mwakazi — Kina". An audience with Mary Mwakazi — Kina. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ "The rise and rise of actress Mumbi Maina". Daily Nation. 2023-06-18. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ "Inside 14-year career of actress Brenda Wairimu, films featured & awards won". Pulse Kenya. 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ Ochieng', Jennifer (2022-07-10). "Kevin Samuel on ‘Igiza’: My Character is A Cautionary tale on What Could Have Been". Sinema Focus. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ "In it to win it: Daniel Weke". Daily Nation. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ "New TV drama promises to be the game changer". Daily Nation. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ OWINO, ANJELLAH. "Gerald Langiri on risqué role, piracy and future projects". Evewoman Magazine. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ "Natasha's rise to on-screen success - Business Daily". www.businessdailyafrica.com. Retrieved 2026-03-06.