Mbeki Mwalimu: Story of Ex-KBC Star Who Replaced Sanaipei Tande in TV Show

The poster for local drama series KIna whereby actress Sanaipei Tande played the lead role.
The poster for the local drama series KIna whereby actress Sanaipei Tande played the lead role.
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Renowned actress cum singer, Sanaipei Tande revealed that she had left her lead role as Nana Tandala in the award-winning show Kina after four seasons.

In a statement released on Monday, February 20, she revealed that her decision was occasioned by exhaustion and much-needed rest. 

In particular, she highlighted that the show had accumulated over 700 episodes in the four seasons cast; pointing to a demanding schedule. 

Actress Mbeki Mwalimu posing for a photo on December 9, 2021.
Actress Mbeki Mwalimu posing for a photo on December 9, 2021.
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Mbeki Mwalimu

Tande, a gifted media personality, scooped the Best Actress at the 2022 Kalasha Awards due to her keen sense of detail and role.

However, unknown to many, the actress passed the mantle of her lead role to former Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) presenter Mbeki Mwalimu. 

Mwalimu has acted in numerous roles including the local drama show Tabasamu, and drama series Selina and also made cameo appearances in hit shows such as Citizen TV's Tahidi High

During a past interview, Mwalimu detailed how she landed a role as a presenter for KBC's show Good Morning Kenya

"I hosted Good morning Kenya which is such a coincidence as producer Mary Mwikali who used to be on the radio on KBC asked me to look for people to host a show, a reality show called The Ultimate Choir."

"She, however, asked me to try it and during auditions, they debated whether I do the reality show or Good Morning Kenya. Then I ended up clinching both roles," she stated during an interview at Switch TV. 

After switching from KBC, she delved back into her passion for theatre and birthed an idea in 2018 for a professional theater performance organization christened Back to Basics

"Art is one of the most powerful ways of passing communication so when you do it artistically, people will remember. I wanted real authentic stories, real-life experiences," she stated. 

Owing to her roles in many films, Mwalimu scooped the best theater director award in 2018 at the Sanaa Awards.

Sanaipei Tande in an interview at Radio Maisha on November 12, 2021
Sanaipei Tande in an interview at Radio Maisha on November 12, 2021
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Sanaipei Tande