This Friday, August 22, cinephiles and lovers of authentic African storytelling will be treated to the premiere of Giterenge (Quagmire), the latest short film by award-winning filmmaker, actor, and journalist Ndung’u Mburu. 
A Story Rooted in the Soil of Reality set in Central Kenya, the film follows Mama Kamau and Baba Kamau as a single discovery disrupts the calm of their everyday life. What unfolds is a gripping domestic drama that mirrors larger questions of trust, identity, and resilience in family and community.
Without resorting to clichés, Giterenge draws from the rhythms of Kikuyu life—its humor, silences, and tensions—to deliver a story that feels both familiar and unsettling.
A Vision Powered by Collaboration
For Mburu, Giterenge is part of a bigger mission: to place Kikuyu stories firmly within the landscape of contemporary African cinema. An actor, writer, and director with over 15 years in media and storytelling, Mburu has consistently championed authentic African narratives (Father & Son, Poor Money, Ahadi). With Giterenge, he brings the Kikuyu language and culture to the forefront with fresh cinematic energy.
The film is produced by Lawrence Njue, the creative force behind the hit web series Ride Ya Johnie. It is also the latest project in a growing partnership between SideBar Media (Mburu’s company) and Delmik Media (Njue’s). Together, the two storytellers have built a dynamic creative alliance—producing Ride Ya Johnie and three short films leading up to Giterenge.
This collaboration is more than co-production; it is a shared vision to reimagine indigenous storytelling, using film to amplify African voices, challenge stereotypes, and inspire new generations of filmmakers.
Speaking about his approach, Mburu notes:
Our stories matter. With Giterenge, I wanted to show that Kikuyu narratives can be cinematic, powerful, and universal. I am dedicated to capturing the richness and diversity of African experiences. Giterenge is about those silent battles we fight in our homes, the unspoken truths that shape who we are. It is a mirror held up to us all.”
Why It Matters
It is a rare Kikuyu-language short film, foregrounding a culture often left out of mainstream cinema.
It shows the strength of local filmmaking—rooted in authenticity, yet capable of engaging audiences everywhere. It signals a new direction for Kenyan storytelling, where indigenous voices lead.
Giterenge premieres Friday, 22nd August. Watch it’s trailer here
Giterenge (Quagmire) is not just a short film.It is a signpost for where Kikuyu and Kenyan cinema can go next.
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