Mizani (TV Series)
| Mizani | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime drama |
| Written by |
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| Directed by |
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| Starring |
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| Country of origin | Kenya |
| Original languages | English Swahili |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Producer |
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| Production company | AR Films Production |
| Original release | |
| Network | Showmax, Maisha Magic Plus |
| Release | 5 February 2026 |
Mizani is a Kenyan crime drama television series set and filmed in Mombasa, Kenya. Created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Daudi Anguka, the series is scheduled to premiere on Showmax on 5 February 2026 and on Maisha Magic Plus on 7 February 2026.[1][2][3]
The show explores themes of organ trafficking, corruption, power, and family loyalty within the criminal underbelly of Kenya's coastal city.[4][5]
The series marks Anguka's debut on Showmax and expands on thematic elements first introduced in his earlier film Mvera, Kenya's official submission for the 96th Academy Awards.[6]
Plot
Mizani follows Suleiman, a struggling journalist whose life is turned upside down when his young daughter is kidnapped by an organ trafficking syndicate operating in Mombasa. As he races against time to save her, Suleiman finds himself forced to confront a powerful, politically connected criminal network.
His investigation draws him deeper into a dangerous world of corruption, influence, and hidden alliances, revealing shocking family secrets and moral dilemmas where every decision carries devastating consequences. The series examines the “scales of life,” where choices can either save or destroy.[7][8][9]
Cast
- Michael Saruni as Suleiman, a driven but emotionally distant digital journalist and single father whose life is consumed by his work. When his daughter, Amira, is kidnapped by an organ trafficking ring, his mission to expose the syndicate becomes personal, forcing him to face his emotional trauma, guilt, and the consequences of his neglect.
- Stephanie Maseki as Kate Mumba, a charming yet ruthless woman living a double life. Publicly, she's a co-owner of a successful fishing empire and known for her philanthropy, but secretly, she is the leader of a deadly organ trafficking syndicate.
- Keith Chuaga as Phillip Mumba, the Governor of Mombasa County and the majority shareholder in the Mumba Fishing Company. He's a charismatic, principled, and prayerful leader who rose from being a passionate student activist to a respected public servant.
- Jack Mutinda as Solo. He is a former Special Forces officer who currently serves as Kate Mumba's personal bodyguard and enforcer.
- Denis Humphrey as Jamal, a street-smart hustler who poses as a Forex trader but is actually a low-level drug peddler in Mombasa's underground world. He is the younger brother of Suleiman's late wife and Amara's maternal uncle.
- Mehul Malde as Dr. Patel. He is the founder and CEO of Spring Hospital. Torn between ambition and ethics, Dr. Patel strives to protect his daughter Pryanka from the dark side of his operations while grooming her to eventually inherit the hospital.
- Anita Wawuda as Nimo, a disciplined DCI operative leading a specialized task force in Mombasa targeting drugs, corruption, and black-market organ trafficking.
- Kathleen Mckenzie as Dr. Priyanka Patel, daughter to Dr Patel. She is a compassionate and talented pediatrician at Spring Hospital, raised in a prestigious Indian medical family.
- Reinhard Inzai Bonke as DCI Hassan
- Patrick Owino as SG Mwinga
- Bhavnesh Chudasama
- Ashik Ali as Sharrif Fazul. He was a once-powerful billionaire tycoon now imprisoned, but still determined to control his criminal empire from behind bars. Known for his sharp mind, ruthless business tactics, and ability to manipulate people, he built a vast network across industries like construction and nightlife.
- Mariam Mzee as Bibi Khadija. She is a hardworking fishmonger and part-time babysitter to her granddaughter Amira.
- Victor Opondo as Sanga
- Lyndsey Wanjiku as Amira Maole. She is the daughter to Suleiman.
- Ethan Mdeinzi as Levi, son to Phillip and Kate.
Episode
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 10 | February 5, 2026 | TBA | |
Season 1 (2026)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Unknown | Unknown | 5 February 2026 | |
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Amira Maole is kidnapped from school as her father struggles to progress in his journalism career. Meanwhile, Governor Philip Mumba and his wife rush their sick son to the hospital. | |||||
Production
Development
Mizani is produced by AR Film Productions, led by Daudi Anguka, one of the most prominent filmmakers from Kenya's coastal region. Anguka is known for Swahili-language productions including Pete, Sanura, Mkasi, and Mvera.
The series was filmed on location in Mombasa, using the coastal city’s urban and maritime landscapes to ground the narrative in realism. The show expands the organ trafficking storyline introduced in Mvera, presenting a darker and more urgent exploration of the subject within a long-form television format.[10][11]
Filming
The series was filmed entirely on location in Mombasa, marking the first Showmax-commissioned production shot in the city. Production emphasized authenticity through local casting, real urban settings, and narratives drawn from coastal social dynamics.
Themes and Analysis
Central to Mizani is the exploration of organ trafficking in East Africa, examined through socioeconomic, political, and ethical lenses. The title Mizani (Swahili for “scales”) symbolises the balance between destructive and redemptive choices, representing the ethical crossroads faced by the characters.[12]
Release
Mizani premiered on Showmax on 5 February 2026, with new episodes released weekly on Thursdays. The series made its linear television debut on Maisha Magic Plus on 0 February 2026, also airing every Saturday.
References
- ^ "What to Watch in February 2026". OkayAfrica. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "Mombasa shines as Mizani debuts, KFCB pledges industry support". The Star. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "Daudi Anguka Makes Showmax Debut with Mizani". Khusoko. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "New crime drama, Mizani, to premiere on Showmax". 22 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "What you need to know about Mombasa set drama 'Mizani' premiering in February". KBC Digital. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ Milimo, Dennis (23 January 2026). "Inside Mizani: Daudi Anguka Brings a Dark Coastal Crime Drama to the World". MPASHO. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Kenyan Film 'Mizani' Set To Premiere On Showmax This February". Broadcast Media Africa. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Showmax to premiere Coastal TV thriller 'Mizani' from Daudi Anguka on February 5". Hapa Kenya. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Daudi Anguka Set To Make Showmax Debut with New Drama Thriller". KenyanVibe. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Ochieng, Jennifer (22 January 2026). "Daudi Anguka's Showmax Drama-Thriller 'Mizani' Explores Mombasa's Criminal Underbelly". Sinema Focus. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Daudi Anguka's new thriller, Mizani premieres on Showmax". Business Focus. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Daudi Anguka on Mizani, organ trafficking and why the coast is finally taking centre stage in Kenya's film industry". Showmax Stories. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.