The MTV Staying Alive Foundation has officially launched the second season of MTV Shuga Mashariki, marking the return of one of Kenya’s most impactful youth drama series with an exclusive premiere event held at CCHUB on Friday, January 28.
The highly anticipated season will debut on Citizen TV on Tuesday, February 10, at 11 PM, with new episodes airing weekly. International audiences can stream episodes on the MTV Shuga YouTube channel starting Wednesday, February 11.
Season 2 sees the return of a strong ensemble cast, including Serah Wanjiru, Basil Mungai, Matthew Ngugi, Wilson Muchemi, Fatuma Gichuru, Juliebrenda Nyambura, Fridah Mumbe, Renee Gichuki, and Mwende King’ori. Fan-favorite Brian Kabugi also makes a highly anticipated return in a major role.
The new season introduces several fresh faces to the franchise, including Vanessa Okeyo Aika, Marima Wanjiru, Natalia Kyalo, Jenny Muigai, Amalie Chopetta, Beatrice Kamuyu, Eunice Kamau, and Tanzania’s Talie Gray.
In a groundbreaking move for the MTV Shuga franchise, Season 2 is accompanied by ’25Flow’, an original soundtrack that has been developed as a standalone creative project. The soundtrack spotlights Kenyan artists and songwriters under the leadership of SoFresh, a renowned music producer. The original compositions will be integrated directly into the series’ narrative.
Exploring Complex Youth Issues
Set at the fictional Enkare University, the new season tackles pressing issues facing young people today, including consent, identity, ambition, and the impact of digital culture. Storylines explore viral fame, body autonomy, toxic masculinity, and sexual violence as characters navigate the collision of technology, peer pressure, and societal expectations with personal choice.
Season 2 represents a significant creative milestone through a partnership between MTV SAF and She Moves Africa Films, a women-led production company founded by award-winning producer Dina Mwende. Mwende steps into the role of Series Producer after serving as Associate Producer in Season 1.
The production welcomes Janet Chumbe as a new director, joining an accomplished Kenyan directorial team that includes June Ndinya, Mkaiwawi Mwakaba, Likarion Wainaina, and Enos Olik, the acclaimed cinematographer returning from the first season.
The premiere event, hosted by Miriam Bishar, who also stars in the series, featured exclusive music previews from the 25Flow project and interactive panels discussing the creative and research-driven approach behind the production.
Every storyline in Season 2 is grounded in local, youth-centered research designed to challenge restrictive norms and harmful social expectations. The approach builds on evidence that authentic, relatable storytelling can shift attitudes and behaviors at scale.
The second season builds on the success of last year’s debut, which established MTV Shuga Mashariki as one of Kenya’s most culturally resonant youth drama series. The show continues the MTV Shuga franchise’s tradition of using entertainment to spark meaningful conversations and inspire action among young audiences.
The MTV Shuga series, which has been set in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, and India, is part of MTV SAF’s flagship behavior change campaign. The multi-award-winning franchise integrates health messaging into storylines that reflect the lives and experiences of youth audiences across Africa and beyond.
Follow MTV Shuga Mashariki on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook for updates.
