The MTV Staying Alive Foundation (MTV SAF) officially marked the return of Season 2 of MTV Shuga Mashariki, with an exclusive premiere event held on 28 January in Nairobi at CCHUB.
The evening brought together the show’s cast and crew, creators, media and partners of MTV SAF for a celebration of Kenyan storytelling, youth culture and social impact.
Season 2 will officially broadcast on Citizen TV starting Tuesday, 10 February at 11pm, with new episodes airing weekly. Episodes will also be released globally on the MTV Shuga YouTube channel from Wednesday, 11 February, expanding access to a global audience.
Returning for Season 2 is a powerhouse ensemble cast including Serah Wanjiru, Basil Mungai, Matthew Ngugi, Wilson Muchemi, Fatuma Gichuru, Juliebrenda Nyambura, Fridah Mumbe, Renee Gichuki and Mwende King’ori, with fan-favourite Brian Kabugi making a highly anticipated return in a major role. The new season also introduces Vanessa Okeyo Aika, Marima Wanjiru, Natalia Kyalo, Jenny Muigai, Amalie Chopetta, Beatrice Kamuyu, Eunice Kamau and Tanzania’s Talie Gray, whose performances bring depth to MTV Shuga Mashariki’s evolving narrative.
In a first for the franchise, Season 2 is accompanied by an original soundtrack titled ‘25Flow’, developed as a standalone creative asset alongside the series. The project spotlights Kenyan artists and songwriters led by SoFresh, renowned music producer. Their original music compositions and production will be woven directly into the story and film.
Hosted by Miriam Bishar, who also stars in the series, the premiere event offered guests an immersive introduction to the new season. Attendees enjoyed exclusive first listens to music from the 25Flow project, alongside interactive panels that unpacked the creative journey behind the production and research-driven approach to its storytelling. The space buzzed with energy as storytelling, sound and youth culture converged, creating a dynamic, atmosphere and experience that set a powerful tone for the highly anticipated new chapter of MTV Shuga Mashariki..
Set against the backdrop of campus life at Enkare University, Season 2 of MTV Shuga Mashariki dives deep into the complexities of young people navigating love, consent, identity and ambition in a digital age. The season explores how technology, peer pressure and societal expectations collide with personal choice. From viral fame and body autonomy to toxic masculinity and sexual violence, the story follows interconnected lives as secrets unravel, friendships are tested and justice emerges as a powerful rallying cry.
Season 2 marks a significant creative milestone for the franchise through a partnership between MTV SAF and She Moves Africa Films, a women-led production company founded by award-winning producer and storyteller Dina Mwende, who steps into the role of Series Producer after serving as Associate Producer in Season 1. The new season also welcomes Janet Chumbe as a new director, joining an accomplished Kenyan directorial team including June Ndinya, Mkaiwawi Mwakaba and Likarion Wainaina, who joined the series in Season 1, alongside Enos Olik, acclaimed cinematographer who also returns on the 2026 season. Together, they bring authentic storytelling, a wealth of experience and cultural insight to the production.
Produced by MTV SAF, the second season builds on the success of last year’s widely celebrated debut, reaffirming MTV Shuga Mashariki as one of Kenya’s most culturally resonant and impactful youth drama series. Continuing its tradition of using storytelling to spark meaningful change among Kenya’s youth, every storyline in Season 2 is grounded in local, youth-centred research and crafted to challenge restrictive norms and harmful social expectations.
Drawing on extensive evidence that authentic, relatable storytelling can shift attitudes at scale, the new season promises to entertain while sparking meaningful conversation, reflection and action. As MTV Shuga Mashariki prepares to return to screens nationwide, Season 2 reaffirms the franchise’s enduring mission to amplify young voices, challenge harmful norms and harness the power of storytelling to inspire lasting impact.
MTV Shuga Mashariki is part of the award-winning MTV Shuga franchise–MTV-SAF’s flagship behaviour change campaign. It is a multi-award-winning TV drama series, accompanied by radio, digital, social media, and on-the-ground educational activities, which integrates health messaging into storylines that reflect the lives and experiences of youth audiences. The MTV Shuga series has been set in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Cote D’Ivoire and India.
The MTV Staying Alive Foundation (MTV SAF) is an independent charity that produces ground-breaking, original media content that delivers vital sexual and reproductive health messaging to a global audience. All our content is distributed rights-cleared and cost-free, enabling us to reach the widest audience possible. The MTV Staying Alive Foundation debuted its highly successful MTV Shuga model in Kenya in 2009. The development of MTV Shuga integrates research and insights in its approach to tell compelling youth-focused stories, raise awareness around pertinent issues in order to foster behavior change while creating demand for services.
