Lorna Lemi is one of those artists who live and breathe storytelling. Whether she’s on stage, in front of a camera, or skating through a music video, you can tell that she gives it her all. 
Growing up in a space that allowed her to explore her creativity, she was always taking part in school drama festivals and singing in Catholic church. And from early on, it was clear that she had something special; she danced in church processions regularly, something that helped shape her stage presence. Even with all that grounding, Lorna never thought art could become a full-time career. That’s why, when the time came, she went to Kenyatta University to study teaching.
Like art though, life has a funny way of leading us back to where we belong. During the pandemic, she took part in a monologue challenge led by actress Brenda Wairimu. It wasn’t just a fun distraction; it lit a fire. That moment pushed her to finally start taking acting seriously. Shortly after, she got a chance to shoot a pilot, and in 2020, landed her first screen role in Unlucky Stars, a film by Jennifer Gatero.
Having never been on a professional set before, the experience was an eye-opener. She had to quickly learn how to maintain continuity and adjust to the pace of set life. But she didn’t mind doing scenes multiple times—if anything, she enjoyed it. It was all the confirmation- she was exactly where she was meant to be!
The rest, as they say, is history…Among the projects she has worked on, a few truly stand out for this KTA Best Female Actor nominee as ones that helped sharpen her artistic compass and allowed her to tap into different sides of herself:
Mo-Faya, a seven-part Netflix series directed by Reuben Odanga, saw her take on the lead role of Zawadie. This show was a major milestone in her career, helping increase her visibility while also testing her linguistic adaptability. It was a role that pushed her, and one she fully embraced.
In Safaricom’s Zuri Shine Kenya music video, Lorna was the face of a vibrant campaign that let her showcase not just her acting, but her dancing, singing, and even skating. It was one of those rare opportunities where all her creative expressions came together in one space.
Then came the Nike Berlin campaign with legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge. Being part of a global campaign like that gave Lorna the chance to highlight her athleticism and widen her scope as an artist.
Another unforgettable experience was It’s a Free Country, a film by Chatterbox. It gave her the chance to take on a role she had long craved—one that was emotionally rich and layered, the kind of role that every actor dreams of exploring.
Each of these projects stand out not just because of their visibility or scale, but because of how they allowed her to stretch her abilities and grow in confidence.
Beyond those highlights, Lorna has been part of several other exciting screen projects. She played Tasha in Nairobby (2021), Hilda in the short film The Hummingbird (2022), and took part in Two Let (2023). She also features in the Maisha Magic Plus series Lulu, where she plays Nia.
When it comes to theatre, Lorna has left her mark there too. She took part in Sarafina! The Musical by the Nairobi Performing Arts Studio, and Blessed Be the Fruit, which she describes as her debut and a play where she really sank into her character- to rapturous reviews. Both performances earned her nominations at the Kenya Theatre Awards. Other notable theatre appearances include Lawaridi Kisasi and Kiza Alfajiri.
When it comes to her artistic process, Lorna makes it a point to immerse herself in every character she plays. She doesn’t just act, she tries to live the life of the character, seeing the world through their eyes. It’s this deep empathy and commitment that allows her performances to feel so genuine and lived-in.
Despite the big projects and growing recognition, Lorna stays grounded. She’s surrounded by a community of artists who inspire her, but a few names stand out: Nice Githinji, Nungo Marianne, and Wakio Mzenge.
What really keeps her going is a deep, constant vibration inside her, a feeling that she’s meant to do this work. And she doesn’t take her energy for granted. She been given a gift; one she doesn’t want to leave this world without exploring.
Like many creatives, she battles self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and moments where her confidence wavers. But through it all, she chooses to see life like a series of scenes—some beautiful, some tough, but all worth living.
People will always have their perspective and intentions,” she says, “Always be gracious and loving, and don’t judge before you really know what’s going on in their lives.”
In the beginning, the journey feels easy because the passion is so strong. But eventually, you’ll realise it’s not all smooth-sailing. Still, with clear goals and purpose, you learn how to handle everything and then you’ll see, it’s truly worth it,” she adds.
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