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'Njoro wa Uba' Star Joe Kinyua on Eight Seasons and the Burden of Carrying People's Stories

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Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 1 min read

This archive report was first published on 13 July 2021.

Published on July 13, 2021, 'Njoro wa Uba' has been a staple on Kenyan television for eight seasons, captivating audiences with its unique portrayal of life in Nairobi.

At its core, the show revolves around Njoro, a taxi driver who becomes a confidant, friend, and source of advice for his passengers, each with their own stories and struggles.

Joe Kinyua, the star of the show, has been instrumental in bringing this character to life, and in a recent interview, he opened up about the challenges of playing Njoro.

'When I read the script, I knew this show would not only shed light on what cab drivers go through but it would also make other people see themselves and what they go through in their day-to-day lives reflected in these characters in Njoro's car,' Kinyua said.

As the show has progressed, it has leaned more and more into social commentary, tackling issues such as child brides, forced marriages, and vasectomy appointments.

For Kinyua, this has been a challenging but rewarding experience, as he has seen the impact of the show on its audience.

'When you see people's reactions, and how they appreciate what we're doing to highlight these issues, then you feel this burden is, to some extent, lifted,' he said.

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