Just like food, a TV show must be prepared well, characters (ingredients) must have good chemistry laced with emotions (spices) and aired for just the right time before the next episode (cooking time) above all it must be created with love.
A good TV programme must stay with you long after it has ended, it must remind you of the good old days.
Kenyans are masters of creating good TV programmes, especially Swahili TV shows.
A look at Kenya Broadcasting service (KBC) archives when it used to be known as Voice of Kenya attests to that without a doubt.
Here are 4 classical all time favorite Kenyan TV programmes of all time.
A look at today’s Kenyan TV programme list will feature at least four Mexical soap opera to be aired in a day.
That is how Kenyans are hooked with Mexican soap Opera; Now Tausi was the original Kenyan soap opera.
The show was shot in the Kenyan coast and revolved around a Swahili family going about their daily life struggles and successes.
Love, work and family were the constant themes that had Kenyans hooked on the silver screens.
Mzee Kasri's home was a drama house which churned out all manner of characters you can dream about.
The catchy signature tone ‘Tausi ndege wangu’ had Kenyans dropping everything they were doing and rush to the sitting room to watch the legendary Tausi on their black and white great wall Television.
Where can I start on this, the name alone speaks volumes and for that the producers gets a high five,
Penzi Hatari is Swahili word meaning dangerous love and the TV show drama did not disappoint.
Sam, a Christian bad boy was the main actor who had fallen in love with Lena, a beautiful Muslim girl.
The opposition and support in equal measure for their relationship made many Kenyans shed genuine tears for their love struggle.
Sam being a bad boy would not allow anyone and I mean anyone come between him and his heart desire.
For years I harbored a deep hatred for Sam for playing with Lena’s heart. It is only years later after I had my own broken that I later realize it was simply good acting.
No Kenyan TV show took the Kenyan airspace by storm like Kisulisuli did, the show was packed with emotions, action, suspense, characters chemistry, everything a good TV show needs Kisulisuli had it and more.
The scheming and counter scheming that the show used to employ had Kenyans discussing the show days on end on what would transpire next,
Those producers and script writers for sure need an Oscar award.
Where did Baba zero go? Where? What about his son, Shikwekwe? Those were the real Kenyan actors.
The show was named after Chameleon and its character of changing its skin according to its surrounding.
It was aired once weekly and the script was simple, it used to revolve around daily life challenges and how a Kenyan Chief (Mzee Zero) had to adapt to the rapidly changing face of Kenya.
Other classical Kenyan shows were Tahamaki, Vituko, Vitimbi, Vioja Mahakamani, Jee huu ni Ungwana and many more classics, clearly those were the golden years in Kenyan Television history.
