What Happened to the Machachari Actors? Where Are They Today 

Machachari remains one of Kenya’s most memorable children’s shows, shaping a generation of viewers with stories about family, school, friendship, and everyday struggles.

Citizen TV aired the show for 13 years before bringing it to an end in 2019.

The show introduced audiences to characters who became household names, and these included Tyler Mbaya, who played Baha, the witty and street-smart boy; Fahim Fazal played Govi, the disciplined and focused friend; Ian Nene portrayed Almasi; Natasha Wanjiku played Stella, the confident and stylish girl, among other cast members.

Why Machachari Came to an End

After more than a decade on television, the actors who started the show as children had grown into adults.

The change made it difficult for producers to continue telling stories that focused on children’s experiences.

Citizen TV executives decided to end the show instead of replacing the original actors with new faces, explaining that viewers had built strong connections with the characters over the years.

“We started with Baha’s crew, they are now seniors. We needed to create a room to have a new show just the way we began Machachari 13 years ago. It comes to an end this Friday conclusively and Johari replaces it,” the executives stated.

“When you have watched something for 13 years, you do not want to replace characters with lookalikes. It may not do very well with the viewers who have bonded with some of the characters. The natural way is to bring a show to a conclusive end,” they added.

After Machachari ended, Citizen TV introduced Johari as its replacement, targeting a younger audience with new characters and storylines.

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Where the Actors Are Today

• Tyler Mbaya

Tyler Mbaya, popularly known as Baha, became one of the most recognized faces from Machachari.

He played the clever and mischievous boy whose adventures with his friends formed a major part of the show.

After the show ended, Mbaya expanded his career beyond acting; he ventured into content creation and established his production company, Kamau Mbaya Productions, as he continued exploring opportunities in Kenya’s entertainment industry.

He previously dated content creator Georgina Njenga, and the couple separated in 2023; the two share a daughter.

Recently, Mbaya faced online controversy after an alleged private video circulated on social media.

The actor asked internet users to stop sharing the clip and urged people to respect his privacy, warning that distributing intimate content can have lasting effects on those involved.

A photo collage of Tyler Mbaya (Baha) showing him before and after exit from Machachari. PHOTO/ Tyler Mbaya Ig

• Govi

Malik Lemuel, who played Govi, became known as Baha’s disciplined and focused younger brother.

His character often balanced Baha’s adventurous personality with a more responsible approach.

After Machachari, Lemuel continued pursuing acting and appeared in productions such as Kina, Pepeta, Drunk Head, Mawimbi and Kutu.

He also expanded into film production and currently serves as the Managing Director of Cheko Saba Productions, a company owned by his mother, Suzanne Njoki.

In October 2024, Lemuel graduated from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

• Almasi

Ian Nene, who played Almasi, took a different direction after leaving Machachari.

His character stood out as the wealthy, confident, and humorous member of the group.

Nene moved to the United Kingdom to continue his education before embracing a spiritual lifestyle based on Vaishnavism, a branch of Hinduism.

He dedicated himself to spiritual growth and adopted a lifestyle influenced by his religious beliefs.

Over the years, Nene changed his appearance and personal style, which sparked conversations online about his identity.

However, he has clarified that he identifies as male, and he now lives in London and shares his spiritual journey, personal growth, and experiences with his followers.

Collage photo of Ian Nene (Almasi) before and after his exit from Machachari. PHOTO/ Ian Nene

• Stella

Natasha Wanjiku, who created a memorable character through her role as Stella, a determined girl who faced family struggles but remained focused on her education.

Her character inspired many viewers because she showed resilience and ambition despite challenges.

After Machachari, Wanjiku continued acting and appeared in films such as Everyone Dies. She also built a career as a content creator, influencer, and brand ambassador.

• Fatso

Mathew Owiti played Fatso, the character who often challenged Baha and Govi, his role added conflict and excitement to the storyline.

After the show, Owiti continued acting while also developing his talent as a poet. He has explored storytelling through both performance and spoken word.

• Mama Baha

Wanjiku Mburu played Mama Baha, a hardworking mother who struggled to provide for her family.

She continued acting after Machachari and appeared in various Kenyan television dramas, maintaining her presence in the entertainment industry.

• Madvd

Paul Kimaru, known as Madvd, played the street-smart ghetto king who often interacted with Baha and Govi.

He left the show before its conclusion and later moved away from the public spotlight.

Kimaru relocated to London, where he pursued further education, including a second master’s degree in project management after completing an MBA.

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• Tosh

Luhkman Shapir played Tosh, a calm character who protected his cousin Joy while joining Baha and Govi in their adventures.

After acting, Shapir shifted his focus behind the scenes and now works as a director and music producer, contributing to Kenya’s creative industry.

• Sofia

Sharon Mutuku played Sofia, the house help and Madvd’s girlfriend.

She continues acting and has expanded into filmmaking. She also shares parts of her personal journey, including motherhood, with her followers.

• Ohon

Joy Ohon played Almasi’s younger sister and remains active in the entertainment industry.

She has appeared in shows such as Salem and continues working as a digital creator and influencer.

Michael Odoyo (Coaches): Moving From Acting to Politics

Michael Odoyo played Coaches, the father figure and football trainer who guided Baha and Govi.

After leaving acting, Odoyo entered politics, he contested for the Member of County Assembly (MCA) seat in Imara Daima, Nairobi, during the 2017 General Election but did not win.

Clara Wamaitha portrayed Mama Stella, a struggling mother whose story reflected the challenges faced by many families.

In 2023, Wamaitha revealed that she lives with vitiligo and spoke about how the condition affected her acting career. She later joined Patches Kenya, where she advocates for people living with vitiligo and supports others facing similar challenges.

Years after its final episode, Machachari continues to hold a special place in Kenyan television history.

The actors have since followed different paths, with some remaining in entertainment while others moved into business, education, politics and personal pursuits.

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Photo of the Machachari cast. PHOTO/ Screebgrab