What to Watch in East Africa This Month
This month’s guide features TV shows and movies from Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya.
East Africa’s entertainment industry is booming with a diverse array of original series, reality shows, documentaries, and fictional films. This July, OkayAfrica’s watchlist features top-notch television series and films from Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Netflix has made a significant entry with its first Kenyan reality show, The Bahatis Empire, while Uganda’s Senkyu Boss returns for another hilarious season, showcasing the highs and lows of the employer-employee dynamic. These are just a few of the fantastic offerings from the region.
Keep reading for a full guide to the best films and series from East Africa this month.
‘Jiji’ - Kenya
Jiji is a fast-paced youth drama that follows the lives of four young girls in the streets of Jericho — a low-income settlement in Nairobi — who are forced into a life of crime to make ends meet. Directed by Enos Olik (Famous), Jiji stars Fridah Mumbe (Pepeta), Nungari Kiore (Volume), Sybil Collette (Igiza), and Aicy Stevens in the lead roles of Julz, Achie, Vee and Mwende respectively.
Where to Watch: Showmax.
‘The Bahatis Empire’ - Kenya
Gospel singer Bahati and his wife Diana navigate love, family and the high life in Nairobi in Netfliix’s first reality show from Kenya
Where to Watch: Netflix.
‘Senkyu Boss’ - Uganda
A new season of Senkyu Boss (Thank You Boss) follows two peculiar men from different backgrounds who are brought together to help a single mother take care of her home and her daughter who just returned from abroad. It stars Draru Mary Prisca, Okello Oyena Joshua, and Shalom Gabrie Rosse.
Where to Watch: Showmax, from July 8.
‘Big Girl Small World’ - Kenya
A plus-size woman stumbles through a journey of self-discovery after a humiliating scandal in this brand-new Kenyan comedy-drama series. In the process, she finds out what it means to live big in a world determined to shrink her.
The 13-part series stars newcomers June Njenga and Daine Njuguna as Ciku and her former best friend Aisha, respectively. Emmanuel Mugo (Igiza), Fidel Maithya (Single Kiasi), Derek Bbanga (Second Family) and Kui Kabala (Njoro wa Uba) are also starring.
Where to watch: Showmax
- The 10 Best African Netflix Original TV Series ›
- The 10 Best African Netflix Original Films ›
- Stella Mwangi: Hip-Hop Saved My Life as an African Growing Up in Norway ›
- What to Watch in East Africa This Month - Okayplayer ›
- Angela Ruhinda on Making Her TV Debut, ‘Big Girl, Small World’ - Okayplayer ›
- What to Watch in East Africa This September - Okayplayer ›
- For Likarion Wainaina, Creating Kenya’s First Sci-Fi Series is About Pushing Boundaries in African Filmmaking - Okayplayer ›
British Nigerian Actor Jimmy Akingbola Says There’s More Work to be Done
The ‘Bel-Air’ and ‘Sorry, I Didn’t Know’ actor featured as part of the Global Impact of Black Culture panel at the Okayplayer House Presented by BET during this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach.
Two Powerful Films From Kenya and Sudan to Premiere at Sundance 2025
'How to Build a Library' and 'Khartoum' offer intimate portraits of survival, transformation, and hope, bringing African experiences to a global stage.