Actress Nyokabi Macharia Stands Up for Steamy Scenes in Kenyan Film

Kenyan actress Nyokabi Macharia has defended the inclusion of steamy scenes in modern Kenyan films.

The actor believes it’s time for audiences to change their views on what is acceptable in local movies, as showing love on screen is a natural part of life.

“We’re making progress. If you’ve seen ‘Single Kiasi,’ you’ll see that such scenes are becoming more common in Kenyan films. Why should it be unacceptable for Africans to show love on screen when it’s a normal part of life?” Macharia explained.

Addressing Criticism and Growth

Macharia believes that Kenyan films are often judged more harshly than foreign ones. She explained that people would rather watch low-quality movies with white actors but react negatively to our own films.

“It seems we criticize Kenyan shows more than foreign ones, even if they are not as good. This double standard needs to end. People will accept poor-quality movies with white actors but react more negatively to our own films,” she said.

For Macharia, the addition of steamy scenes in local films shows that the industry is growing. “Since independence, we’ve built our film industry from scratch, often without formal training. From the early days of ‘Vitimbi’ to now, we’ve made a lot of progress. Therefore, it’s time to embrace and appreciate our own stories,” She added.

Although Macharia is open to performing in steamy scenes, she is careful about their context and needs a better understanding why its been included in the script and if it adds value.

“I don’t have strict rules about such roles, but I need to understand why they are included in the script. If a scene is important to the story and adds value, I am willing to do it. If it’s just for shock value, I prefer not to participate,” she said.

Film Classification Guidelines

According to the Kenya Film Classification Board’s 2012 guidelines, the level of sexual content allowed in films depends on their rating. General Exhibition (GE) films do not allow sex or nudity. Parental Guidance (PG) films may imply sexual activity but should keep it rare. Films rated 16 can include mild depictions of sexual activity, while those rated 18 may show sexual activity if it fits the story and is not too detailed.

Nyokabi Macharia’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about content in Kenyan films and the balance between artistic freedom and regulation.