Sending money from abroad to build a home in Kenya is a dream many families share. But what happens when the person entrusted with the construction has other plans for the cash? Eddie Butita’s latest comedy, Fundi Long Distance, turns that familiar diaspora dilemma into a hilarious 13-episode story, with the first episode now available for free on YouTube.
Highlights
- Episode one of Fundi Long Distance premiered on YouTube on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
- The 13-part comedy is created and written by Eddie Butita and directed by Ted Munene.
- Humphrey Maina stars as Karis, a fundi entrusted with managing a house project for a Kenyan living in the United States.
- Mjaka Mfine and Morine Actress feature as Karis’s baby mamas.
- New episodes will be released every Wednesday, with episode two scheduled for November 11.
Main Story
Eddie Butita Takes on the Diaspora Construction Experience
Kenyan comedian and filmmaker Eddie Butita has unveiled a new comedy series exploring the risks and unexpected drama that can come with sending money home for construction.
Titled Fundi Long Distance, the production is now streaming on the Eddie Butita TV YouTube channel following its red-carpet premiere at Century Cinemax, Garden City, on Saturday, October 31.
The 13-episode project is a production of SPM Africa Studios, the team behind the popular comedy series A Nurse Toto. Butita created and wrote the show, while Ted Munene took charge of directing.
The first episode is available to watch for free, with fresh instalments scheduled to arrive every Wednesday.
A Dream Home Turns Into a Comedy of Errors
The story centres on Joe, a Kenyan based in the United States who wants to construct a house back home.
Since he cannot personally supervise the project from overseas, he hires Karis, a local fundi, to handle the work.
However, Karis has his own problems to deal with, including financial pressure and complicated relationships. Instead of delivering the house Joe expects, he begins sending convincing updates suggesting that construction is progressing.
As Joe continues transferring money, the difference between what he believes is happening and what is actually taking place becomes increasingly ridiculous.
Through Karis’s antics, the series explores a situation familiar to many Kenyans in the diaspora and their families back home.
Humphrey Maina Leads the Cast
Actor Humphrey Maina takes the lead role as Karis.
Maina, who won Best Male Actor in a Leading Role (Play) at the 2025 Kenya Theatre Awards, is also recognised for his appearances in Supa Modo and A Nurse Toto.
He is joined by TikTok comedy personality Mjaka Mfine and digital entertainer Morine Actress, who portray Karis’s baby mamas.
Their characters bring another layer of chaos to the story, making Karis’s already complicated life even harder to manage.
Butita Says the Story Reflects a Familiar Kenyan Experience
Speaking about the inspiration behind the series, Butita explained that the production draws from the experiences of Kenyans who send money home to finance property projects but struggle to establish whether the work is genuinely progressing.
He said the creative team chose comedy as a way of addressing a frustrating situation that many people have either experienced themselves or witnessed among relatives and friends.
Butita also pointed to Maina’s performance as an important part of the show’s appeal, noting that audiences may find themselves laughing at Karis while still recognising the personal struggles behind his behaviour.
He encouraged viewers to watch the opening episode and share it with relatives abroad who may relate to Joe’s predicament.
Red-Carpet Premiere Attracted Kenyan Entertainment Personalities
Before the online release, the cast, production team and invited guests gathered at Century Cinemax in Garden City for an exclusive screening.
Among those who attended were Denis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economic Coordination, comedian and television host Oga Obina, Njugush, Nick Big Fish and Morine Actress.
The screening offered guests an opportunity to experience the opening episode ahead of its public release.
Those who missed the event can now catch the same episode online.
Following the Success of A Nurse Toto
The new production also builds on the success of A Nurse Toto, another SPM Africa Studios comedy that debuted on YouTube in February 2023.
The series has accumulated more than 30 million YouTube views and later secured a television run on NTV, demonstrating the audience appetite for locally produced comedy.
Fundi Long Distance is sponsored by Mi Vida Homes, a property developer that says it has delivered more than 830 homes across Nairobi’s metropolitan area, with over 3,500 additional units in its development pipeline.
Mi Vida Homes CEO and Managing Director Sam Kariuki said the partnership was informed by the show’s relatable storyline and the opportunity to encourage Kenyans to approach property investments carefully.
He noted that the company hopes the series will entertain viewers while also prompting conversations about verifying construction progress and choosing trustworthy partners when investing in homes.
Where to Watch and When New Episodes Drop
The opening episode is available on the Eddie Butita TV YouTube channel, with episode two expected on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Viewers can subscribe to the channel and activate notifications to keep up with the weekly releases.
Watch here: Eddie Butita TV on YouTube
With 13 episodes planned, audiences can expect more twists as Joe’s dream project and Karis’s questionable management continue to collide.
Sometimes the biggest construction project is not building a house, but making sure the person you trust with your dream is building it too.
